The processes and practices of intermediaries in connecting individuals to local physical activity

BACKGROUND: Community-based health-related staff, acting as intermediaries, connect individuals to non-medical community services, such as physical activity and exercise. This study explored the practices of intermediaries in different health-related sectors in Ireland, in connecting individuals to local physical activity [PA], as part of a larger project investigating the role of intermediaries in promotion of physical activity. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was used for this study. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with three categories of intermediaries: Health Promotion and Improvement Officers [HPIO] (n = 10), Local Sports Partnership Officers [LSPO] (n = 8) and Social Prescribing Link Workers [SPLW] (n = 11). Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS: The practices of each intermediary were varied. HPIO focus on providing individuals with smoking cessation services, rather than connecting to PA. LSPO provide ‘light touch interventions': one-off contacts, followed by connection or signposting to PA groups delivered by the partnership. SPLW provide a continuum of support from ‘light touch’ to more intensive interventions, with as much practical or instrumental support needed by the person to connect to local PA. Referrals from healthcare professionals to intermediaries specifically to increase PA were low. However, many individuals who are referred for other reasons such as loneliness and mental health issues are connected to local PA. CONCLUSIONS: Each category of intermediary reported different processes for connecting individuals to PA and provided differing levels of support, but received low numbers of referrals from healthcare professionals specifically for physical activity. Future studies are needed to investigate the impact of interventions provided by these intermediaries on PA levels of individuals attending their services. KEY MESSAGES: • Local sports partnership officers and social prescribing link workers facilitate connections to local, community-based physical activity, by providing different levels of support. • Intermediaries may be an under-utilized resource by healthcare professionals to increase physical activity, and future cohort studies are needed to investigate the impact of the intermediary role.