Aim: regular physical activity (PA) can positively influence the treatment of psychotic disorders. The main obstacles in adhering to regular PA programs for people with severe mental illness are the side effects of antipsychotic drugs, the lack of motivation and poor concentration abilities. All these elements reduce the exercise capacity of these persons and hinder their long-lasting participation in regular PA. Health care workers have a crucial role in the promotion of healthy behaviors and physical habits of people with psychotic disorders but, even if they are aware of the importance of PA, they have to cope with lots of barriers to sustaining patients participation in PA programs (Mo et al., 2011; Verhaeghe, 2011). Methods: four focus groups have been conducted with health care staff members where PA programs are part of the treatment proposed to the users of psychiatric services. They were asked to highlight the benefits, barriers and facilitators of outpatients’ PA in their personal experiences. Results: the content-analysis of the focus groups confirmed and enriched the evidences about the utility of PA programs within the rehabilitative paths for people with psychotic disorders. Moreover results highlighted the need for a specific preparation, for health care workers, especially in what concern motivational processes and the management of strategies to promote active lifestyles. Participants also affirmed the key role of exercise specialists within the health care staff and the growing need for collaboration with local institutions to support the promotion of PA. Conclusions: results provide evidence for the increasing need of regular PA in the rehabilitative interventions of psychiatric disorders. The engagement of exercise specialist within the health care staff is desirable to facilitate the managing of PA programs and support educational interventions also for health care workers. Reference: Mo P et al. (2011) Getting healthcare staff more active: the mediating role of self-efficacy. Brit J of H Psy 16: 690-706 Verhaeghe N et al. (2011) Perception of mental health nurses and patients about health promotion in mental health care: a literature review. J of Psy and MHNurs 18:487-492

The role of health care workers in motivating users of psychiatric services to physical activity

Gobbi Erica;
2015

Abstract

Aim: regular physical activity (PA) can positively influence the treatment of psychotic disorders. The main obstacles in adhering to regular PA programs for people with severe mental illness are the side effects of antipsychotic drugs, the lack of motivation and poor concentration abilities. All these elements reduce the exercise capacity of these persons and hinder their long-lasting participation in regular PA. Health care workers have a crucial role in the promotion of healthy behaviors and physical habits of people with psychotic disorders but, even if they are aware of the importance of PA, they have to cope with lots of barriers to sustaining patients participation in PA programs (Mo et al., 2011; Verhaeghe, 2011). Methods: four focus groups have been conducted with health care staff members where PA programs are part of the treatment proposed to the users of psychiatric services. They were asked to highlight the benefits, barriers and facilitators of outpatients’ PA in their personal experiences. Results: the content-analysis of the focus groups confirmed and enriched the evidences about the utility of PA programs within the rehabilitative paths for people with psychotic disorders. Moreover results highlighted the need for a specific preparation, for health care workers, especially in what concern motivational processes and the management of strategies to promote active lifestyles. Participants also affirmed the key role of exercise specialists within the health care staff and the growing need for collaboration with local institutions to support the promotion of PA. Conclusions: results provide evidence for the increasing need of regular PA in the rehabilitative interventions of psychiatric disorders. The engagement of exercise specialist within the health care staff is desirable to facilitate the managing of PA programs and support educational interventions also for health care workers. Reference: Mo P et al. (2011) Getting healthcare staff more active: the mediating role of self-efficacy. Brit J of H Psy 16: 690-706 Verhaeghe N et al. (2011) Perception of mental health nurses and patients about health promotion in mental health care: a literature review. J of Psy and MHNurs 18:487-492
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11576/2679328
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