Fleur van Rens

Exercise is effective for multiple sclerosis (MS) symptom and disease management and can be digitally-delivered. How Australian healthcare professionals (HCP; physiotherapists (PT), exercise physiologists (EP), occupational therapists (OT) prescribe or deliver exercise to MS clients remains unclear. We determined current HCP practices, confidence, and preferences on exercise prescription, and personal educational preferences on telehealth exercise for MS.

Australian neurological HCP completed online surveys. Logistic regression and ANOVA compared responses between HCP, stratified to profession. Four focus groups and thematic analyses were conducted on needs and preferences towards designing educational programs on telehealth exercise delivery for MS.

Fifty-eight HCP responded (34 PT; 14 EP; 10 OT). Differences existed in the familiarity of different professions with current exercise guidelines for MS (EP: 85.7%; PT: 67.6%; OT: 40%). Profession differences existed on confidence to prescribe telehealth exercise (EP 85%; PT 80%; OT 35%; p<0.001). HCP were interested in education on telehealth exercise for MS (EP 100%; PT 91.2%; OT 70%). However, OT (60%) preferred focusing on behavior change, while EP (78.6%) and PT (73.5%) preferred delivering both exercise and behavior change. HCP (N=15) of all professions participated in the focus groups. Main facilitators towards education on telehealth exercise and behaviour change were to increase reach to clients who: live remotely, lack time, and/or face financial restrictions, and increasing professional skills in exercise delivery in MS care. Barriers and concerns included lack of time for education and suitability with current practice. Training resources should address HCP needs to improve exercise delivery in MS care.