Capitalising on the Interaction Between Patients and Healthcare Providers; A Qualitative Study to Explore the Exercise Promotion Needs and Wants of MS Patients

Background: There is increasing recognition of the benefits and safety of exercise and its centrality in the coordinated care of persons with MS who have mild-to-moderate disability. Substantial evidence indicates persons with MS are not engaging in sufficient amounts of physical activity and exercise for health benefits. There is growing recognition that the interaction between patients and providers is an important opportunity for promoting physical activity and exercise in MS. To capitalise on this opportunity, we need to understand the wants and needs of patients for the promotion of exercise during interactions with providers.

Objectives: We adopted a basic qualitative research design and explored the needs and wants of those with mild-to-moderate MS regarding advice and support for exercise from healthcare providers.

Methods: Participants were identified using purposive sampling and recruited from the Midwest United States. Of the 50 persons who underwent screening, 40 volunteered who had an EDSS score ≤5.5 and who ranged from physical inactive though regular exercisers. Those person underwent a semi-structured, scripted interview for capturing the wants, needs and desires for promotion of physical activity and exercise through providers. Three researchers performed coding and thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews, and this was supplemented by member-checking and journal data.

Results: Spiral analysis of the data identified main themes regarding the wants and needs of patients for the promotion of exercise through providers. Patients reported (a) the expectation that providers can and will promote exercise; (b) needing provider support regarding information on benefits, risks, and safety of exercise; (c) needing information that facilitates continued behavior change such as community resources and support groups; and (d) needing ongoing monitoring, updates, and encouragement by the provider.

Conclusions: Healthcare providers may be the most important messengers of physical activity and exercise information to those with MS. Subsequent research should query providers about the needs, wants, and resources for promoting physical activity and exercise among patients with MS.