title: Facilitating Community-Based Exercise for People With Stroke: Cross-Sectional e-Survey of Physical Therapist Practice and Perceived Needs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Educating people with stroke about community-based exercise programs (CBEPs) is a recommended practice that physical therapists are well positioned to implement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the provision of education about CBEPs to people with stroke, barriers to providing education, and preferences for resources to facilitate education among physical therapists in neurological practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional e-survey of physical therapists treating adults with stroke in Ontario, Canada, was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  A link to the questionnaire was emailed to physical therapists in a provincial stroke network, a provincial physical therapy association, and on hospital and previous research lists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses from 186 physical therapists were analyzed. The percentage of respondents who reported providing CBEP education was 84.4%. Only 36.6% reported typically providing education to ≥7 out of 10 patients with stroke. Physical (90.5%) and preventative (84.6%) health benefits of exercise were most frequently discussed. Therapists reported most commonly delivering education at discharge (73.7%). Most frequently cited barriers to educating patients were a perceived lack of suitable programs (53.2%) and a lack of awareness of local CBEPs (23.8%). Lists of CBEPs (94.1%) or brochures (94.1%) were considered to be facilitators. The percentage of physical therapists providing CBEP education varied across acute, rehabilitation, and public outpatient settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The percentage of physical therapists providing education may have been overestimated if respondents who deliver CBEP education were more likely to participate and if participants answered in a socially desirable way.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though a high proportion of physical therapists provide CBEP education, education is not consistently delivered to the majority of patients poststroke. Although a CBEP list or brochure would facilitate education regarding existing CBEPs, efforts to implement CBEPs are needed to help overcome the lack of suitable programs.
authors: C. Lau, MScPT, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Carrie
authors: C
authors: Lau
authors: D. Chitussi, MScPT, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Chitussi
authors: S. Elliot, MScPT, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Elliot
authors: J. Giannone, MScPT, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Giannone
authors: M-K. McMahon, MScPT, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
authors: Mary-Katherine
authors: MK
authors: McMahon
authors: K.M. Sibley, PhD, University Health Network-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Kathryn M
authors: KM
authors: Sibley
authors: A. Tee, BScPT, MHS, Central East Stroke Network, Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Alda
authors: A
authors: Tee
authors: J. Matthews, BKin, CK, CSEP-CEP, Mackenzie Health, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Matthews
authors: N.M. Salbach, PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 160-500 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1V7, and University Health Network-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. nancy.salbach@utoronto.ca.
authors: Nancy M
authors: NM
authors: Salbach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003153:Community Health Services; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009864:Ontario; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D059825:Physical Therapists; D024382:Professional Role; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult