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Journal article
Allied Health Professional Knowledge And Clinical Practice In Telehealth Exercise Behavioural Change For Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, Vol.87, 105689
2024
Abstract
Background
The growing importance of telehealth in multiple sclerosis (MS) necessitates an understanding of current practices and training needs of health professionals. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge, preparedness, and training preferences of Australian allied health professionals (AHPs) in telehealth exercise therapy and exercise behavioural change for MS patients to inform the development of educational training.
Methods
An online survey was completed by 58 Australian AHPs, including 34 physiotherapists, 14 exercise physiologists, and 10 occupational therapists, focusing on their current practices, preparedness, and training preferences in telehealth exercise and behavioural change for MS. The survey included multiple-choice, Likert scale, and free-text response questions. Data were analysed using binary and multinomial logistic regressions.
Results
Not all AHPs were aware of MS exercise guidelines (67% awareness), with exercise physiologists showing the highest familiarity. There was a significant understanding of the difference between physical activity and exercise, though definitions often lacked clarity. Most AHPs (91%) employed behavioural change strategies in their practice, especially goal-setting (95%), identifying facilitators (67%), and reinforcing progress (66%). While most (72%) felt prepared in promoting exercise to MS clients, there were differences in confidence levels concerning the prescription, modification, and teaching of telehealth exercise programs, with occupational therapists have significant less confidence in those domains compared to other AHPs. Most AHPs expressed interest in additional training, with a preference for online workshops focusing on exercise prescription for MS, behaviour change, and telehealth delivery methods.
Conclusion
In our Australian AHP sample we identified that a quarter to a third of AHPs in MS care may not be confident or prepared to promote telehealth exercise and behavioural change to people with MS. Moreover, the findings highlight some disparity in knowledge and confidence levels amongst different AHPs concerning exercise therapy for MS, indicating the need for tailored multidisciplinary training programs. Such programs should address profession-specific educational gaps and training preferences, ensuring effective and safe telehealth exercise prescription in MS care.
Details
- Title
- Allied Health Professional Knowledge And Clinical Practice In Telehealth Exercise Behavioural Change For Multiple Sclerosis
- Authors/Creators
- Georgios Mavropalias - Murdoch UniversityS.L. Baynton - Murdoch UniversityShaun Teo - Murdoch UniversityS J Donkers - University of SaskatchewanFleur E. van Rens - Murdoch University, School of Allied HealthYvonne C Learmonth - School of Allied Health (Exercise Science), Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Publication Details
- Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, Vol.87, 105689
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Identifiers
- 991005668468807891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Allied Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.203 Neuromuscular Disorders
- 1.203.147 Multiple Sclerosis
- Web Of Science research areas
- Clinical Neurology
- ESI research areas
- Neuroscience & Behavior