Anne Rosell
Health Department, City of Frederiksberg
Factors influencing attendance to the exercise on prescription programme in Ribe County
Background: In 2002, Ribe County started a project where general practitioners could refer patients to a 3-months exercise programme including diet counselling. The criteria for being included were: inactivity and mild depression or a metabolically related disease. Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe and understand patients' attendance to the exercise programme.
Method: We used an extended version of The Theory of Planned Behaviour model as our theoretical background. The patients' beliefs about exercise on prescription and physical activity were explored through qualitative interviews during and after the exercise programme. The physiotherapist registered attendance.
Results: The patients got knowledge about the programme through the media (n=4) and their general practitioners (n=4). They were motivated to attend the programme due to a positive attitude towards the programme and concerns about their health. Attendance was between 72 and 100 % (m= 89%) exclusive vacation. The patients' positive attitudes towards the programme were decisive for the high participation. They enjoyed the exercise programme, and experienced improvements in physical functioning and well-being. The patients got a negative attitude towards their former behaviour, as they learned about the adverse effects of inactivity. During the programme many of the patients experienced social support from other patients. The patients did not experience any crucial barriers to participate, as they had adequate self-efficacy and personal control. Within the group a norm existed that one should attend the programme every time.
Conclusion: We found that our theoretical model was applicable when examining attendance. Attendance was influenced by 'Attitude towards current behaviour', 'Attitude towards new behaviour', 'Self-efficacy for new behaviour', 'Personal control for new behaviour', 'Subjective norm for new behaviour', and 'Social support for new behaviour'. On the basis of our results, we assess that the patients were satisfied with the current exercise programme. However, this is to be seen partly as a result of the way the physiotherapist handled the exercise programme.
