Physical activity on prescription in Swedish primary care: a survey on use, views, and implementation determinants amongst general practitioners

Abstract

Introduction

Swedish Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP) has been shown to increase physical activity levels, which is known to lead to positive health effects. PAP is being implemented in Swedish healthcare to various extents. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how Swedish general practitioners (GPs) work with PAP and what hinders and facilitates wider implementation.

Aims

This study aimed to survey GPs’ use and views of PAP, identify barriers and facilitators for implementing PAP, and explore associations to gender, practice location, and experience.

Methods

The study was framed by the Normalization Process Theory. A survey was sent to 463 GPs at 69 different healthcare centres in Region Västra Götaland. Data were analysed using multiple logistic and linear regressions.

Results

A total of 143 GPs completed the survey (response rate 31%). Views on PAP were generally positive amongst respondents, but only 27% reported using PAP regularly. The most prominent reported barriers were insufficient training and resources. Positive views and willingness to collaborate in using PAP were identified as facilitators. Responding GPs in Gothenburg used PAP more often (OR 6.4; 95% CI 2.7–14.8) and were significantly more positive to the method than GPs in other areas of the region. GPs with more than 10 years of practice used PAP more often (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1–6.0) than less experienced GPs. Few of the investigated variables were associated with gender.

Conclusions

The positive views amongst responding GPs are helpful, but more education, training and resources are needed for successful implementation of PAP in Swedish primary health care.

KEY POINTS

• Implementation of physical activity on prescription (PAP) in Swedish healthcare has been ongoing for many years, but is implemented to various extents across and within regions.

• Views on PAP are generally positive, but use is not widespread amongst general practitioners in Region Västra Götaland who responded to the survey.

• The method is more frequently used in Gothenburg, where the most extensive implementation work has been done, and amongst more experienced general practitioners.

• Education and training in using PAP need to increase for successful implementation.

Keywords:

• Physical activity on prescription
• implementation
• general practitioners
• primary care
• Normalization Process Theory

Acknowledgement

We thank all the HCC managers who helped distribute the survey and all physicians who took time out of their workday to answer it.

Author contributions

EBL designed the study in collaboration with SB, constructed the survey, collected and analysed the data, and drafted the manuscript. MPB contributed to the data analysis and reviewed and revised the manuscript. SB contributed to the design of the study, data collection, data analysis, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, SB, upon reasonable request.

Notes

1 Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease, published by Professional Associations for Physical Activity (YFA)

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for this study.