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Factors Influencing the Introduction of Physical Activity Interventions in Primary Health Care: a Qualitative Study

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Abstract

Background

The introduction of efficacious physical activity (PA) interventions in routine primary health care (PHC) is a complex process. Understanding factors influencing the process can enhance the development of successful introduction strategies.

Purpose

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore stakeholders’ perceptions on factors influencing the introduction, i.e., adoption, implementation, and continuation, of PA interventions in PHC.

Method

Twenty-eight semistructured interviews were held with intervention managers, PHC advisors, intervention providers, and referring general practitioners of five PA interventions delivered in PHC. A theoretical framework on the introduction of innovations in health care was used to guide the data collection. Influencing factors were identified using thematic analysis.

Results

Stakeholders reported preconditions for the introduction of PA interventions in PHC (e.g., support, resources, and networks and collaborations), in addition to characteristics of PA interventions (e.g., compatibility, flexibility, and intervention materials) and characteristics of PHC professionals (e.g., knowledge, positive attitudes, and beliefs about capabilities) perceived to enhance the introduction process. Furthermore, they proposed strategies for the development of PA interventions (e.g., involvement of future stakeholders, full development, and refinement) and strategies to introduce PA interventions in PHC (e.g., training, assistance, and reinforcement). The majority of the influencing factors were discussed specifically in relation to one or two stages.

Conclusion

This study presents an overview of factors that are perceived to influence the introduction of PA interventions in PHC. It underscores the importance of taking these factors into account when designing introduction strategies and of giving special attention to the distinct stages of the process.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Theo Paulussen and Annette Martens for their involvement in the conception and design of the study. This research was funded by ZonMw, The Netherlands Organisation of Health Research and Development (Grant Number 50-50115-96-606).

Ethical Standards and Human Rights

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 and 2008. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

Conflict of Interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Johanna M. Huijg & Winifred A. Gebhardt

  2. Regional Public Health Service Hollands Midden, Parmentierweg 49, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Nicolette van der Zouwe

  3. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Hippocratespad 21, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Mathilde R. Crone & Barend J. C. Middelkoop

  4. Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Wassenaarseweg 56, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Marieke W. Verheijden

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  1. Johanna M. Huijg
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  2. Nicolette van der Zouwe
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  3. Mathilde R. Crone
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  4. Marieke W. Verheijden
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Correspondence to Johanna M. Huijg.

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Huijg, J.M., van der Zouwe, N., Crone, M.R. et al. Factors Influencing the Introduction of Physical Activity Interventions in Primary Health Care: a Qualitative Study. Int.J. Behav. Med. 22, 404–414 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-014-9411-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-014-9411-9

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