Reducing sedentary behavior in individuals with COPD: healthcare professionals’ perspectives

ABSTRACT

Background

Reducing sedentary behavior (SB) in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being increasingly recognized as a novel health target. Understanding healthcare professionals (HCPs) behavior that influences a reduction in SB in this population could facilitate achieving this target.

Objective

To explore the determinants of behavior related to HCPs targeting a reduction in SB in people with COPD.

Methods

We used a qualitative semi-structured interview approach informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Sixteen HCPs were interviewed. Interview transcripts were mapped against the relevant TDF domain(s) and then higher order themes were generated.

Results

Directed content analysis resulted in mapping 949 quotes to the TDF domains with environmental context and resources being the most coded domain. Three higher order themes were identified: 1) HCPs need more knowledge on reducing SB; 2) Strategies suggested to include in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to reduce SB; and 3) Barriers to adding SB to PR. Domains of environmental context and resources, knowledge, social/professional role and identity, reinforcement, social influences, skills and beliefs about capabilities were relevant to the study population to reduce SB in people with COPD.

Conclusion

Knowledge of SB varied across participants. This study provided information on potential behavioral targets for future interventions that involve HCPs and aim to reduce SB among people with COPD.

KEYWORDS:

• Sedentary Behavior
• theoretical Domains Framework
• chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• healthcare Professionals
• behavior Change

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Canadian Lung Association through a “Breathing as One Allied Health Research Grant”.

Disclosure of Interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Lung Association.