Physical activity supports provided by health care providers to patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction There is limited evidence around the physical activity support delivered by different types of healthcare providers (HCPs) to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the type of physical activity support delivered by 3 HCP types, and to compare this support to that perceived by patients with type 2 diabetes. A secondary aim was to describe awareness, knowledge and use of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) physical activity guidelines and Canada's Physical Activity Guide (CPAG). Method The HCP and the Patient Physical Activity Support Questionnaire were answered by 48 HCPs and 26 patients from 8 interprofessional primary care clinics specializing in diabetes education. Results There was no difference in the type of physical activity support between HCP types, however, there was a difference between overall HCP and patient report of physical activity support (5.29 vs. 2.04 unprompted; 9.90 vs. 6.07 prompted, p<0.001). Approximately half of HCPs used the CDA guidelines and the CPAG in practice. Conclusion Physical activity support is similar between all HCP types in interprofessional primary care settings, but this support is perceived differently by patients. Strategies to increase certain types of physical activity support would allow for optimal counselling in primary care.