Table 1

PROMOTE-PA physical activity promotion description using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR)

TIDieR componentPROMOTE-PA physical activity promotion by health professionals—intervention group
WhyThere is strong evidence for the physical, mental, and social benefits of physical activity for people of all ages and physical abilities. Regular participation in structured physical activity including exercise, sport and active recreation can be an enjoyable way to experience the benefits of physical activity. Health professionals can have an important role in promoting physical activity and identifying suitable opportunities and recommending their patients participate in these opportunities. The WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) 2018–2030 recommends using the existing health workforce to promote physical activity. However, physical activity promotion is yet to be embedded into routine care for many clinical areas
What procedures       Within patients’ usual management/consultation session which also addresses their clinical/impairment priorities, health professionals will be supported by the research team to deliver some of the following physical activity promotion interventions according to the 5As model of health coaching/promotion:

  •        Assessment by the treating health professional to identify their patients’ current physical activity participation and influences on their physical activity participation.

  •        Delivery of brief physical activity advice using motivational interviewing techniques.

  •        Delivery of one or more of the following components (individually tailored to clinical teams):

    •        Advise: provide specific advice regarding the benefits of physical activity, make specific recommendations and advice on suitable physical activity options, tailored to each patient.

    •        Agree: collaboratively set goals and develop a physical activity action plan.

    •        Assist: collaboratively identify barriers to physical activity and develop potential solutions, set up self-monitoring strategy.

    •        Arrange: arrange referral to a community physical activity programme, arrange referral to the PROMOTE-PA Linkage Programme, explore options for social support, arrange optional follow-up.


       Health professionals will also be supported to invite and refer eligible patients to the PROMOTE-PA Linkage Programme to be delivered by staff within the research team. This programme will provide:

  •        Assessment: an initial session of up to 1 hour from an experienced physiotherapist or exercise physiologist to identify what support they may need/want to be more active. This session may be provided via phone call or video call.

  •        Tailored advice about suitable physical activity opportunities in the community or ways to incorporate physical activity into one’s day.

  •        Development of an individualised plan to help patients increase their physical activity that includes referral to suitable physical activity opportunities/services where appropriate.

  •        An optional second session with the experienced physiotherapist or exercise physiologist to discuss the plan and provide additional support to help patients get started and stay active.


       Development of new physical activity programmes that support patients in transitioning from hospital-based to community physical activity programmes will also be explored as indicated
What materialsAll health professionals will be provided with access to the following materials, to be delivered to patients on an individual needs basis:

  • Online activity directory of local physical activity opportunities organised by geographical area.

  • Online resources for health professionals and patients, for example, educational brochures for physical activity tailored to different health conditions.




Additional materials will be tailored to each clinical team and could include:

  • Referral forms/resources to suitable physical activity opportunities identified on the study-specific physical activity directory of community physical activity options.

  • A tailored physical activity plan template

Who providedPhysical activity promotion assessment and delivery of tailored physical activity promotion components will be conducted by the treating health professional providing care in outpatient healthcare services to adults (age 18+ years) or young people (age 5–17 years). The physical activity promotion interventions will be embedded into usual care.
PROMOTE-PA Linkage Programme consultations will be delivered by an experienced physiotherapist or exercise physiologist who are part of and funded by the research team
How

  • Face-to-face or virtual initial health professional consultations with patients will be conducted and will comprise physical activity assessment and identification of relevant physical activity interventions to be tailored to each patient.

  • Community physical activity options will be identified by the health professional searching the online physical activity directory, initially developed for a previous study and expanded for the current study.

  • PROMOTE-PA Linkage Programme consultations will be delivered via phone or video call

WhereThe intervention will be delivered to patients (young people aged 5–17 years, adults aged 18+ years) attending outpatient/community-based hospital services in five clinical districts in NSW (Sydney, Western Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, South Western Sydney Local Health Districts; Sydney Children’s Hospital Network). Participating services could include physiotherapy departments, rehabilitation outpatients, geriatric/aged care outpatients and clinics involving rheumatology, endocrinology, oncology and haematology services. Similar private services may also be recruited
When and how much

  • The assessment will occur at the beginning of the intervention period as part of routine care. The duration will be determined by the treating health professional, with physical activity promotion to be embedded into routine clinical care.

  • Tailored physical activity promotion interventions will be delivered to patients by the treating health professional as part of routine care.

  • The PROMOTE-PA Linkage Programme will comprise an initial 1-hour session consisting of assessment and development of a tailored physical activity action plan. An optional follow-up session (30 min) will be offered

TailoringThe health professional will work collaboratively with each patient participant to identify their needs, preferences, barriers and strengths impacting on physical activity and will include the development of physical activity recommendations for each individual. Participants will be offered referral to existing community programmes or to the PROMOTE-PA Linkage Programme, with a focus on identifying activities that participants will enjoy and are accessible.
Suitable options may include attendance at a group programme, such as those indexed on the Active and Healthy website (https://www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/), and/or participation in sporting opportunities that cater for people with health conditions. Both face-to-face and online programmes can be considered depending on preferences.
Delivery of physical activity promotion will be embedded into routine care, with frequency of consultations to be determined by the treating health professional taking into account the needs of each patient

  • PROMOTE-PA, Promotion of Physical Activity by Health Professionals.