Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group study
Abstract Background Exercise plays a crucial role in addressing the increased cardiometabolic morbidity and premature mortality in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. When delivered in community-based settings, exercise may also reduce loneliness, while promoting overall physical activity...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05648-9 |
| _version_ | 1797233380700454912 |
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| author | Martin Færch Andersen Kickan Roed Victor Sørensen Allan Riis Bolette Skjødt Rafn Bjørn Hylsebeck Ebdrup Julie Midtgaard |
| author_facet | Martin Færch Andersen Kickan Roed Victor Sørensen Allan Riis Bolette Skjødt Rafn Bjørn Hylsebeck Ebdrup Julie Midtgaard |
| author_sort | Martin Færch Andersen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Exercise plays a crucial role in addressing the increased cardiometabolic morbidity and premature mortality in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. When delivered in community-based settings, exercise may also reduce loneliness, while promoting overall physical activity behaviours. Skilled instructors are essential to deliver effective community-based exercise; however, knowledge about their roles and required training is lacking. We aim to explore various stakeholders’ perspectives regarding lay exercise instructors’ roles, and the required elements in an educational programme supporting the delivery of community-based exercise for young adults with SSD. Methods We used semi-structured homogeneous focus groups with representatives from different stakeholder groups (i.e., including representatives of clinical staff within mental health, physiotherapists, exercise instructors, young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and relatives of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders) targeted or affected by a community-based exercise intervention. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results We conducted six focus groups comprising a total of 30 individuals representing five different stakeholder groups The analysis identified three categories: (i) awareness and understanding of mental illness, i.e., providing basic knowledge to dispel common myths and stigma regarding mental illness (ii) protecting youth identity, i.e., supporting the feeling of being more than just a patient, and (iii) promoting exercise as a shared activity, i.e., a communal pursuit, fostering personal growth among participants, their peers and the instructors. Conclusions An educational programme for lay exercise instructors delivering community-based exercise targeting young adults with SSD should empower the instructors to assume the role of guardians of an inclusive exercise culture. Educational elements identified were adapted and integrated into an educational programme implemented and evaluated as a part of the Vega trial. Our results may be transferable to the education of lay workers in mental health care where the aim is to facilitate sustainable, recreational, community-based activities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:15:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-35133397c04942b2ac9e967c946e6a4e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:15:15Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-35133397c04942b2ac9e967c946e6a4e2024-03-31T11:28:16ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2024-03-0124111110.1186/s12888-024-05648-9Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group studyMartin Færch Andersen0Kickan Roed1Victor Sørensen2Allan Riis3Bolette Skjødt Rafn4Bjørn Hylsebeck Ebdrup5Julie Midtgaard6Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health Care (CARMEN), Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University of CopenhagenCentre for Applied Research in Mental Health Care (CARMEN), Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University of CopenhagenCentre for Applied Research in Mental Health Care (CARMEN), Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University of CopenhagenDepartment of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern DenmarkCentre for Applied Research in Mental Health Care (CARMEN), Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University of CopenhagenCenter for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR), Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University of CopenhagenCentre for Applied Research in Mental Health Care (CARMEN), Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University of CopenhagenAbstract Background Exercise plays a crucial role in addressing the increased cardiometabolic morbidity and premature mortality in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. When delivered in community-based settings, exercise may also reduce loneliness, while promoting overall physical activity behaviours. Skilled instructors are essential to deliver effective community-based exercise; however, knowledge about their roles and required training is lacking. We aim to explore various stakeholders’ perspectives regarding lay exercise instructors’ roles, and the required elements in an educational programme supporting the delivery of community-based exercise for young adults with SSD. Methods We used semi-structured homogeneous focus groups with representatives from different stakeholder groups (i.e., including representatives of clinical staff within mental health, physiotherapists, exercise instructors, young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and relatives of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders) targeted or affected by a community-based exercise intervention. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results We conducted six focus groups comprising a total of 30 individuals representing five different stakeholder groups The analysis identified three categories: (i) awareness and understanding of mental illness, i.e., providing basic knowledge to dispel common myths and stigma regarding mental illness (ii) protecting youth identity, i.e., supporting the feeling of being more than just a patient, and (iii) promoting exercise as a shared activity, i.e., a communal pursuit, fostering personal growth among participants, their peers and the instructors. Conclusions An educational programme for lay exercise instructors delivering community-based exercise targeting young adults with SSD should empower the instructors to assume the role of guardians of an inclusive exercise culture. Educational elements identified were adapted and integrated into an educational programme implemented and evaluated as a part of the Vega trial. Our results may be transferable to the education of lay workers in mental health care where the aim is to facilitate sustainable, recreational, community-based activities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05648-9ExerciseSchizophreniaPersonal recoveryCommunity-based activitiesEducationFocus group |
| spellingShingle | Martin Færch Andersen Kickan Roed Victor Sørensen Allan Riis Bolette Skjødt Rafn Bjørn Hylsebeck Ebdrup Julie Midtgaard Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group study BMC Psychiatry Exercise Schizophrenia Personal recovery Community-based activities Education Focus group |
| title | Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group study |
| title_full | Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group study |
| title_fullStr | Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group study |
| title_short | Required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community-based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders – A stakeholder focus group study |
| title_sort | required elements for an educational programme for lay exercise instructors in charge of community based exercise targeting young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders a stakeholder focus group study |
| topic | Exercise Schizophrenia Personal recovery Community-based activities Education Focus group |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05648-9 |
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