Dataset Information

How do participant experiences and characteristics influence engagement in exercise referral? A qualitative longitudinal study of a scheme in Northumberland, UK.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Exercise referral schemes (ERSs) are internationally widespread. This study aimed to gain an insight into differential engagement through understanding participant experiences of patients referred by healthcare professionals to one such scheme in the UK.

Design

The study employed a qualitative longitudinal approach using semistructured interviews, with results reported using Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research guidelines.

Setting

Two leisure centres providing an 'emerging best-practice' ERS in northeast England.

Participants

Referred patients (n=11), who had not yet commenced the scheme, were recruited on a voluntary basis. Seven females and four males, with a range of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, diabetes, overweight/obesity and musculoskeletal problems, participated.

Intervention

24-weeks, two times per week, of supervised exercise sessions and three one-to-one assessments (prescheme, 12?weeks and 24?weeks) for patients referred from primary and secondary care.

Primary outcome measures

Two longitudinal semistructured interviews, prior to commencement and 12-20 weeks later, were thematically analysed using the framework approach. Analysis comprised seven stages: transcription, familiarisation, coding, development and application of an analytical framework, charting data using a matrix and interpretation of data. Interpretation went beyond descriptions of individual cases to develop themes, which identified and offered possible explanations for differing participant experiences.

Results

Three overarching themes emerged. First, 'success', with engaged participants focused on health outcomes and reported increases in physical activity. Second, 'struggle', with short-term success but concerns regarding continued engagement. Participants reported scheme dependency and cyclical needs. Finally, 'defeat', where ill health, social anxiety and/or poor participation experience made engagement difficult.

Conclusion

Some success in engaging those with non-communicable diseases was reported, resulting in positive effects on health and well-being. The study highlights complexity within ERSs and inequality of access for those with challenging health and social circumstances. Improved, or different, behaviour change support is required for referrals finding engagement difficult.

SUBMITTER: Hanson CL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6398729 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

How do participant experiences and characteristics influence engagement in exercise referral? A qualitative longitudinal study of a scheme in Northumberland, UK.

Hanson Coral L CL Oliver Emily J EJ Dodd-Reynolds Caroline J CJ Allin Linda J LJ

BMJ open 20190220 2

<h4>Objectives</h4>Exercise referral schemes (ERSs) are internationally widespread. This study aimed to gain an insight into differential engagement through understanding participant experiences of patients referred by healthcare professionals to one such scheme in the UK.<h4>Design</h4>The study employed a qualitative longitudinal approach using semistructured interviews, with results reported using Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research guidelines.<h4>Setting</h4>Two leisure ...[more]

PMID: 30787087

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Project description:Affective interethnic ties are highly effective for improving out-group attitudes, especially during adolescence. Yet, young people face several obstacles to developing such ties in society. One potential means of fostering greater interethnic connectivity is through youth engagement: that is, formal, organized social participation in groups, clubs, or activities. However, little is still known about its effectiveness; especially for overcoming structural obstacles to contact in society, such as residential segregation. This study has two aims: to robustly examine whether youth engagement can build positive interethnic contact among young people; and, to perform the first systematic test of whether sites of engagement can act as "Associational Bridges", providing greater opportunities for contact among youth from more segregated environments. To pursue these aims, the study exploited a unique data opportunity to perform a quasi-experimental analysis of a large-scale, nationally-implemented youth engagement scheme in the United Kingdom. The study uses pre-test/post-test data on N = 1371 participants (Mage = 16.7; 63% Female; 36% non-White) and N = 1946 propensity-score matched controls (Mage = 16.7; 62% Female; 36% non-White). Applying a (matched) difference-in-difference approach, the findings demonstrate that participation led to an increase in affective interethnic ties, which were evident at least 4-6 months after involvement had ended. Participation also had a stronger positive impact on youth from more residentially segregated areas: although joining the scheme with fewer interethnic ties, post-participation they reported just as many ties as their peers from less segregated areas. However, participation had no difference in effects for youth from more or less ethnically diverse areas. Youth engagement may thus be an effective tool for fostering positive contact; particularly among those from more segregated environments. However, attention should be paid to the design and recruitment practices of engagement programs to understand which structural barriers to contact in society they can overcome.

Dataset Information

How do participant experiences and characteristics influence engagement in exercise referral? A qualitative longitudinal study of a scheme in Northumberland, UK.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Intervention

Primary outcome measures

Results

Conclusion

Publications

How do participant experiences and characteristics influence engagement in exercise referral? A qualitative longitudinal study of a scheme in Northumberland, UK.

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