Conference Agenda

Purpose: Physical Activity (PA) counselling during healthcare interactions has been identified as a potentially effective strategy in improving patient PA levels. Physiotherapists have expertise in PA, but little is known about how PA is currently promoted in physiotherapy practice in Ireland and factors that influence it. This survey aimed to investigate physiotherapy practice, knowledge, training and understanding of PA interventions during healthcare interactions, and the role of social prescribing.

Methods: An online survey link (hosted on REDcap) was distributed via the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and completed by physiotherapists working in any setting in the Republic of Ireland.

Results: 248 respondents took part, with 153 responses deemed eligible (76% female, 49% >20 years experience). 98% of physiotherapists raised/discussed PA frequently or often, 32% rarely assessed PA using an activity log and only 16% of physiotherapists frequently refer patients to community-based exercise programmes. Furthermore, only 41% felt patients were ready for community referral. Awareness around social prescribing was limited; 44% were aware of the Health Service Executive Social Prescribing framework and regarded as a high priority by only 16% of respondents.

Conclusions: Despite the finding that PA is discussed in most interactions with patients, there was limited awareness of PA interventions available in the community and how to transition patients into the community. However, perception of physiotherapists’ role in promoting PA and the benefit of PA counselling was encouraging. Results can inform future studies aimed at PA promotion in healthcare settings and maximise potential frameworks for implementation success.