Delphi Survey of physical activity and city infrastructure priorities for children with chronic medical conditions
Abstract Overview
Background: Previous surveys indicate that children with chronic medical and mental health conditions (CMC) do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines in Toronto, Canada. Specific barriers surrounding PA programming and city infrastructure may contribute to limited PA participation.
Purpose: To identify barriers to and priorities for PA programming and infrastructure based on experiences of children with CMC, caregivers, policy makers, healthcare-professionals/researchers, and community partners.
Methods: The Delphi method was used to identify barriers and priorities in three rounds. Survey invitations were sent to children with CMC recruited from clinics at The Hospital for Sick Children; representatives of patient advocate societies; Toronto city council members, healthcare-providers, and community recreation partners. Invitation response rates were calculated as the sum of: “No”, “Yes”, and “Next Round” responses. In round 1, participants identified priorities and barriers through open-ended questions. Round 2 presented priorities in grouped topics. Respondents voted on the most important priorities within each topic. In round 3, priority rankings under each topic were presented and respondents reappraised their round 2 rankings.
Results: A 72% (93/130) response rate was obtained in round 1. Respondents to survey questions, (n=59, 64%, Female) ages12-65 years (mean 34 years) included 20 CMC/caregivers, 27 healthcare-providers/researchers, 8 community partners, and 4 city councillors. In round 2 [78% response rate (68/87)] we identified 8 topics and up to 20 priorities per topic including: Staffing qualifications, PA program type, required PA program supports, barriers, informational needs, PA infrastructure needs, supports, and barriers. The top 3 priorities within each topic will be determined from round 3 and shared at this conference.
Conclusions: Partnerships with policy makers, healthcare-providers/researchers, community leaders, children with CMCs and caregivers to identify needs, barriers, and active living solutions has led to identifying 8 key topic areas to target in future research and policy priorities.
Funding: CIHR developmental grant
Additional Authors
Name: Laura Avila
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Ann Yeh
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos
Affiliation: The University of Toronto
Presenting Author: no
Name: Virgina Wright
Affiliation: Holland Bloorview Childrens Rehab
Presenting Author: no
Name: Brian McCrindle
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Indra Narang
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Jennifer Stinson
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Eyal Cohen
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Daphne Korczak
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Barbara Cifra
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Jane Schneiderman
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Name: Brian Feldman
Affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children
Presenting Author: no
Information
Study Type: Policy (e.g. policy or guideline development)
Subtheme: Systems / cross-sector partnerships
Population Group: Children, Adolescents, Disabled people, People with chronic conditions, Most inactive
Setting: Community, Family, Healthcare
Submitting Author
Samantha Stephens
Research Associate
The Hospital for Sick Children
Canada
