A survey across four European countries to determine rheumatology health professionals' awareness of physical activity measures in people with inflammatory joint diseases

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Norelee M. Kennedy
  • Sean G. McKenna
  • Aoife O'Neill
  • Esbensen, Bente Appel
  • Thijs Willem Swinnen
  • Birgitta Nordgren
  • Sara Willemijns
  • Nanna Maria Hammer
  • Nina Brodin

Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine rheumatology health professionals' (HPs)' awareness of and confidence in using physical activity (PA) measures in people with inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs), their own self-reported PA levels and to identify HP-related educational needs. Methods Rheumatology HPs in Denmark, Sweden, Ireland and Belgium participated in an on-line survey. Descriptive statistics and latent class analysis (LCA) were undertaken SPSS (v21and SASv9.4) to describe data aggregates and range and to identify subclasses of groups with respect to use of PA measures. Results 322 (n=322, 75.5% women) HPs responded from Denmark (n=50, 15.5%), Sweden (n=66, 20.5%), Ireland (n=28, 8.7%) and Belgium (n=178, 55.3%) and the majority of respondents (n=286, 91.7%) reported it was important to measure PA in people with IJDs. Only 28.2% of HPs used simple body worn sensors to measure PA levels in their patients. The majority were interested in on-line education on measuring PA (82.9%). LCA, used to generate classes of PA measures employed by HPs, revealed three distinct classes reflecting differences in self-reported PA levels, awareness of PA measures, further education requirements and professional background. Conclusions The majority of respondents reported that they considered measuring PA as important in people with IJDs; however, the majority lacked confidence in how to measure it. There was strong interest in further education around measuring PA. Three distinct respondent classes were identified to inform targeted education on how to measure PA.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere020809
JournalBMJ Open
Volume8
Issue number5
Number of pages9
ISSN2044-6055
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

    Research areas

  • musculoskeletal disorders, rheumatology

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