Healthcare professionals’ experiences of promoting Snacktivity during routine consultations: a qualitative study
Snacktivity is an intervention that aims to reduce sedentary behaviour by encouraging frequent, small bouts of physical activity, or “activity snacks” throughout the day. This qualitative study found that health professionals were supportive of delivering the Snacktivity intervention during routine appointments, however reported time constraints as the primary barrier to implementation.
Healthcare professionals from a range of specialisms (podiatrists, hospital dentists, dietitians, physiotherapists, practice nurses, healthcare assistants and general practitioners) implemented the SnacktivityTM into consultations. These interventions were audio recorded to assess proficiency and fidelity to the brief. Eleven healthcare professionals took part in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of the intervention.
Healthcare professionals generally understood and supported SnacktivityTM, appreciating its simplicity and flexibility, and potential to impact patients’ behaviour. Consultation recordings revealed that healthcare professionals were effective and proficient in promoting SnacktivityTM.
The primary concern expressed was having enough time for the intervention during an already time-limited consultation. Additionally, some felt that it could detract from specific therapeutic advice given during the consultation. Confidence in delivery of the intervention was also variable across healthcare professionals.
What next?
These findings provide encouraging evidence that SnacktivityTM could be implemented as an intervention during routine consultations across a range of healthcare specialisms. However, barriers to implementation including time constraints and confidence in delivering the intervention, should be addressed.
Citation details
Krouwel M, Greenfield S, Sanders JP, Gokal K, Chalkley A, Griffin RA, Parretti H, Jolly K, Skrybant M, Biddle S, Greaves C, Esliger DW, Sherar LB, Edwardson C, Yates T, Maddison R, Frew E, Mutrie N, Ives N, Tearne S, Daley AJ. Making Every Contact Count: health professionals' experiences of integrating conversations about Snacktivity to promote physical activity within routine consultations - a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2024. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085233
Acknowledgements
The authors of the study would like to thank the patient and public involvement (PPI) representatives who contributed to this research. The authors would like to thank Birmingham Community Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust, healthcare professionals and general practices who supported the study. The authors would like to thank all those who participated in this research.
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