Physical activity promotion by health practitioners: a distance-learning training component to improve knowledge and counseling

Florindo, Alex A, Andrade, Douglas R, Guerra, Paulo H, Mota, Jorge, Crone, Diane ORCID: 0000-0002-8798-2929, Mafra, Ana C C N and Bracco, Mario M (2018) Physical activity promotion by health practitioners: a distance-learning training component to improve knowledge and counseling. Primary Health Care Research and Development, 19 (2). pp. 140-150. doi:10.1017/S1463423617000676

Preview

Text (Peer reviewed version) 5139 Crone 2017 Physical activity promotion by health practitioners A distance-learning training.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License All Rights Reserved. Download (232kB) | Preview

Abstract

Aim To report an evaluation of health professionals' participation in a distance-learning physical activity training course developed in a low socio-economic region of São Paulo city, Brazil. BACKGROUND In countries with public universal health systems, physical activity promotion in primary health care settings can reap results, particularly given that such interventions have the potential to reach a large percentage of the population. However, few studies proposed physical activity training for health professionals in low- and middle-income countries. Brazil is a continental country and has the Unified Health System which incorporates family health teams in over 85% of Brazilian cities. METHODS The physical activity training was part of the fifth module of an educational intervention throughout a distance-learning course focusing on health professionals at M'Boi Mirim district in São Paulo city. The training totaled 3 h and had five themes of physical activity: (1) concepts, definitions benefits; (2) evaluation; (3) recommendation; (4) interventions; (5) physical activity counseling. The opinion of health professionals was evaluated after training by two open questions. Findings Out of 106 professionals who took part of the course, only 22.6% (n=24) had accessed the fifth module. These professionals were predominantly female (79.2%), nurses (66.7%) and aged 30 years or older. Responses highlighted the course approach focused on physical activity for improving patient's quality of life and well-being, disease prevention and health improvements. Regarding the themes for improvement, the health professionals identified that there was a need to experience physical activity classes first-hand, and the need to link physical activity counseling to the local venues that provide structured physical activity programs. We recommend that further training courses can be conducted based on this model for health professionals to promote physical activity to the community in Brazil.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Physical activity training; Health professionals; Online course; Distance-learning training; Professional development; Brazil
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Health and Social Care
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Susan Turner
Date Deposited:	15 Nov 2017 13:30
Last Modified:	27 Jul 2023 14:43
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/5139

University Staff: Request a correction | Repository Editors: Update this record