Annie Gornall1, Lucie Lévesque2, Ronald J Sigal3. 1. School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 2. School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: levesqul@post.queensu.ca. 3. Departments of Medicine, Cardiac Sciences and Community Health Sciences, Faculties of Medicine and Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore physical activity (PA) education delivery in Ontario Diabetes Education Centres (DECs). METHODS: Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with diabetes educators involved in PA education from 26 (55%) of 47 eligible centres. Frequency analysis was used to assess responses to closed questions, and qualitative analysis was used to investigate spontaneous comments about PA education content and delivery. RESULTS: Respondents were 61.5% registered nurses, 23% registered dietitians, 7.7% kinesiologists and 7.7% others. All (100%) reported doing something to address PA education, including the following: exercise prescription (73%), PA-specific behavioural counselling (88%), PA follow-up (77%) and providing written materials (92%). However, a substantial proportion of educators did not feel comfortable with their own skills and training in this area. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of standardization in the content and delivery of PA education in Ontario DECs, and many diabetes educators feel that they lack the skills and training related to PA counselling.
OBJECTIVE: To explore physical activity (PA) education delivery in Ontario Diabetes Education Centres (DECs). METHODS: Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with diabetes educators involved in PA education from 26 (55%) of 47 eligible centres. Frequency analysis was used to assess responses to closed questions, and qualitative analysis was used to investigate spontaneous comments about PA education content and delivery. RESULTS: Respondents were 61.5% registered nurses, 23% registered dietitians, 7.7% kinesiologists and 7.7% others. All (100%) reported doing something to address PA education, including the following: exercise prescription (73%), PA-specific behavioural counselling (88%), PA follow-up (77%) and providing written materials (92%). However, a substantial proportion of educators did not feel comfortable with their own skills and training in this area. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of standardization in the content and delivery of PA education in Ontario DECs, and many diabetes educators feel that they lack the skills and training related to PA counselling.