The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptions
Abstract Background To stimulate physical activity (PA) and guide primary care patients towards local PA facilities, Care Sport Connectors (CSC), to whom a broker role has been ascribed, were introduced in 2012 in the Netherlands. The aim of this study is to assess perceptions of primary care, welfa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2016-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3665-x |
| _version_ | 1811305151828328448 |
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| author | Karlijn E. F. Leenaars Annemiek M. E. Florisson Eva Smit Annemarie Wagemakers Gerard R. M. Molleman Maria A. Koelen |
| author_facet | Karlijn E. F. Leenaars Annemiek M. E. Florisson Eva Smit Annemarie Wagemakers Gerard R. M. Molleman Maria A. Koelen |
| author_sort | Karlijn E. F. Leenaars |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background To stimulate physical activity (PA) and guide primary care patients towards local PA facilities, Care Sport Connectors (CSC), to whom a broker role has been ascribed, were introduced in 2012 in the Netherlands. The aim of this study is to assess perceptions of primary care, welfare, and sport professionals towards the CSC role and the connection between the primary care and the PA sector. Methods Nine focus groups were held with primary care, welfare and sport professionals within the CSC network. In these focus groups the CSC role and the connection between the sectors were discussed. Both top-down and bottom-up codes were used to analyse the focus groups. Results Professionals ascribed three roles to the CSC: 1) broker role, 2) referral, 3) facilitator. Professionals were enthusiastic about how the current connection was established. However, barriers relating to their own sector were currently hindering the connection: primary care professionals’ lack of time, money and knowledge, and the lack of suitable PA activities and instructors for the target group. Conclusions This study provides further insight into the CSC role and the connection between the sectors from the point of view of primary care, welfare, and sport professionals. Professionals found the CSC role promising, but barriers are currently hindering the collaboration between both sectors. More time for the CSC and changes in the way the primary care and PA sector are organized seem to be necessary to overcome the identified barriers and to make a success of the connection. Trial registration Dutch Trial register NTR4986 . Registered 14 December 2014. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:20:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8ee1952eaa7b4ab3967f68357bdb1818 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:20:21Z |
| publishDate | 2016-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-8ee1952eaa7b4ab3967f68357bdb18182022-12-22T02:54:40ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582016-09-0116111110.1186/s12889-016-3665-xThe connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptionsKarlijn E. F. Leenaars0Annemiek M. E. Florisson1Eva Smit2Annemarie Wagemakers3Gerard R. M. Molleman4Maria A. Koelen5Wageningen University & Research Centre, Department of Social Sciences, Health and Society GroupWageningen University & Research Centre, Department of Social Sciences, Health and Society GroupAcademic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical CenterWageningen University & Research Centre, Department of Social Sciences, Health and Society GroupAcademic Collaborative Centre AMPHI, Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical CenterWageningen University & Research Centre, Department of Social Sciences, Health and Society GroupAbstract Background To stimulate physical activity (PA) and guide primary care patients towards local PA facilities, Care Sport Connectors (CSC), to whom a broker role has been ascribed, were introduced in 2012 in the Netherlands. The aim of this study is to assess perceptions of primary care, welfare, and sport professionals towards the CSC role and the connection between the primary care and the PA sector. Methods Nine focus groups were held with primary care, welfare and sport professionals within the CSC network. In these focus groups the CSC role and the connection between the sectors were discussed. Both top-down and bottom-up codes were used to analyse the focus groups. Results Professionals ascribed three roles to the CSC: 1) broker role, 2) referral, 3) facilitator. Professionals were enthusiastic about how the current connection was established. However, barriers relating to their own sector were currently hindering the connection: primary care professionals’ lack of time, money and knowledge, and the lack of suitable PA activities and instructors for the target group. Conclusions This study provides further insight into the CSC role and the connection between the sectors from the point of view of primary care, welfare, and sport professionals. Professionals found the CSC role promising, but barriers are currently hindering the collaboration between both sectors. More time for the CSC and changes in the way the primary care and PA sector are organized seem to be necessary to overcome the identified barriers and to make a success of the connection. Trial registration Dutch Trial register NTR4986 . Registered 14 December 2014.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3665-xIntersectoral collaborationPrimary health carePA sectorBroker roleQualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Karlijn E. F. Leenaars Annemiek M. E. Florisson Eva Smit Annemarie Wagemakers Gerard R. M. Molleman Maria A. Koelen The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptions BMC Public Health Intersectoral collaboration Primary health care PA sector Broker role Qualitative study |
| title | The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptions |
| title_full | The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptions |
| title_fullStr | The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptions |
| title_full_unstemmed | The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptions |
| title_short | The connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector: professionals’ perceptions |
| title_sort | connection between the primary care and the physical activity sector professionals perceptions |
| topic | Intersectoral collaboration Primary health care PA sector Broker role Qualitative study |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3665-x |
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