Health care professionals' experiences of supporting persons with metabolic risk factors to increase their physical activity level - a qualitative study in primary care

ObjectiveTo be regularly physically active is of major importance for the health of people with metabolic risk factors. Many of these persons are insufficiently active and in need of support. This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators perceived by health care professionals' within Swedish primary care in their work to support persons with metabolic risk factors to increase their physical activity.DesignA qualitative design with focus group discussions was used. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis with a manifest, inductive approach.SettingPrimary health care in five Swedish healthcare regions.SubjectsNine physiotherapists, ten physicians and five nurses participated in six digital focus group discussions including two to six participants.ResultsBarriers and facilitators to supporting persons with metabolic risk factors to increase their physical activity were found within four generic categories, where the barriers and facilitators related to each generic category: 'Patient readiness for change', 'Supporting the process of change', 'The professional role', and 'The organisation of primary care'.ConclusionThe findings suggests that barriers and facilitators for supporting patients with metabolic risk factors can be found at several levels within primary care, from individual patient and the health care professionals to the organisational level. In the primary care setting, this should be highlighted when implementing support to increase physical activity in people with metabolic risk factors.