Policy interventions on physical activity among chronically ill and elderly: the Netherlands
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Intervention aim In Utrecht one intervention aimed to enhance physical activity in one neighborhood, especially among chronically ill by strengthening Physical Activity-Plan to promote inter-sector networks and facilitate information and skills training of the involved stakeholders (N = 11). The other intervention focused on the initiation phase of policy making; based on the assessed needs for a local policy on physical activity for senior citizens (65+) and aimed to promote inter-sector collaboration, networking and informational guidance for the involved stakeholders (N = 15). Methods The pre (n = 26) and post-intervention (n = 21) surveys with both common REPOPA questions and context specific ones were done. The preliminary descriptive results are given. Final results with also 12-month follow-up will be available for the conference. Results Both interventions combined increased the belief of research knowledge being (very) important (pre:73%, post:84%). The perceived influence of research knowledge in policy making decreased (pre:24% (very) high, post:12%), but the influence of external stakeholders on policy making increased (pre:20%, post:29%). The interventions seemed to increase the percentages of those who did not know if their organization used information from internal (pre:8%, post:29%) and external stakeholders (pre:4%, post:29%). Conclusion Even if the interventions seemed to increase the perceived importance of research knowledge in policy making, they were not perceived influencing actual policy making. This result as well as somewhat surprising result of increased proportion of those not knowing if their organization used information of internal or external stakeholders can be interpreted that the intervention increased critical thinking. Main message: Stewardship interventions can increase awareness of research among policy makers; further work is needed to translate this into practical application of evidence in policy making.
Authors: A Dorgelo, J Jansen
Institution: Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2579949688