title: An explorative qualitative study on acceptability of physical activity assessment instruments among primary care professionals in southern Sydney.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are a substantial number of instruments for primary-care clinicians to assess physical-activity (PA). However, there are few studies that have explored the views of clinicians regarding comparative acceptability and ease of use. A better understanding of how clinicians perceive instruments could help overcome barriers, and inform future interventions. This study explored the acceptability of five PA-assessment instruments amongst a sample of Australian primary-care clinicians, including family-physicians (FP) and practice-nurses (PN).
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposive sample of FPs (N = 9) and PNs (N = 10) from eight family-practices in southern Sydney consented to participate. Stage-1 involved semi-structured interviews with participants to select preferred instruments. An analysis of the two preferred instruments was conducted as Stage-2, to identify differences in instrument purpose and content. Stage-3 involved participants using the two instruments, selected from Stage-1, for 12-weeks. At the end of this period, semi-structured interviews were repeated to explore clinician experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinicians indicated preferences for the GP-Physical-Activity-Questionnaire and 3-Questionnaire Physical-Activity-Questionnaire. These instruments demonstrated distinct variations in content, theoretical orientation, and outcome measures. Reasons for preference included; variations in individual clinician PA levels, knowledge in PA-assessment and instrument features.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings demonstrated two instruments as preferred. Reasons for preference related to internal characteristics of clinicians such as variations in the level of individual PA and external circumstances, such as instrument features.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity, University of NSW, Level 3, AGSM Building, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Shona Nicole
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Dutton
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Room: O206, O Block, 75 East Street, Lidcombe, NSW, 2141, Australia. sarah.dennis@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sarah May
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of NSW, Level 3, Samuels Building, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zwar
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity, University of NSW, Level 3, AGSM Building, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark Fort
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Harris
keywords: Acceptability; Family practice; General practitioner; Physical activity; Physical activity assessment; Practice nurse; Questionnaire