Healthcare Professionals’ Perception of Physical Activity Promotion for Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Abstract Aims Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic, lifelong condition. T1D incidence and prevalence rising globally. T1D management includes daily insulin regimens, blood glucose monitoring, nutrition management and physical activity (PA). PA plays a pertinent role in mitigating some of the adverse complications associated with T1D (e.g. cardiometabolic disease). Unfortunately, children with T1D often do not meet the minimum recommended requirements for sustaining a physically active lifestyle. Children with T1D face disease-specific barriers and facilitators to PA engagement. Healthcare professionals (HCP) working with children with T1D have an important role in supporting PA as a component of diabetes management. Within an Irish context, little is known about how HCPs’ perceive their role in the promotion of PA for children with T1D. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, beliefs and experiences of HCPs’ provision PA education and support to parents and children with T1D. Methods Members (n = 16) of the multidisciplinary team working in the paediatric outpatient diabetes clinic were recruited. Participants included 6 nurses, non-consultant hospital doctors (6 SHOs, 3 registrars) and 1 dietician. Participants completed a semi-structured questionnaire to gather information about their knowledge, beliefs and experiences in providing PA education to children, adolescents and parents. Results The results show that HCPs do recognise the importance of PA for maintaining health and inform patients of the importance of regular PA, however, HCPs report limited confidence in providing PA education to certain sub-populations of individuals with T1D (e.g. ethnic groups, females, overweight or obese individuals and high-level athletes). Furthermore, HCPs report limited provision of information about important facets of PA that impact blood glucose regulation (e.g. intensity, duration and aerobic versus anaerobic activity). Conclusions Healthcare professionals recognised their role in helping children with T1D and their parents to incorporate physical activity into diabetes management and everyday life, but perceived barriers to the successful fulfilment of their role.