title: Feasibility of a physical activity pathway for Irish primary care physiotherapy services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish consensus on a physical activity pathway suitable for use by physiotherapists in Irish primary care. The physical activity pathway "Let's Get Moving" was examined to agree recruitment criteria and seek consensus on component parts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Modified Delphi approach which attempts to achieve a convergence of opinion, over a series of iterations. Three rounds of questionnaires were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary care.
  
  
  METHODS
  41 senior physiotherapists working in primary care for a median of 6 years (IQR 3.7 to 8.5).
  
  
  METHODS
  Statements achieving consensus; defined as at least 70% of participants scoring a 6 or a 7, indicating high agreement, on a 7 point Likert scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 98%. There was a high degree of consensus for many components of the pathway. Participants agreed that all patients attending physiotherapy should be eligible for recruitment onto the pathway as well as accepting referrals from other health professionals and direct access from the public. Private physiotherapists highlighted concerns about recruiting fee paying patients onto the pathway. The pathway should be integrated into other preventative and chronic disease programmes in primary care. Modifications to the original pathway included the use of a pedometer in addition to the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire. Training needs in physical activity screening and motivational interviewing, as well as additional staffing were identified to support implementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Physical Activity Pathway "Let's Get Moving" was accepted as a clinically feasible resource to primary care physiotherapists with some modifications and with the support of additional resources.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. Electronic address: barrete@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Emer M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. Electronic address: jmhussey@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, Ireland. Electronic address: darkerc@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Catherine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Darker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003697:Delphi Technique; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000523:psychology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Physical activity; Physical activity pathway; Physical activity promotion; Physical activity screening; Primary care