Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2025

From guidelines to practice: a global survey of healthcare professional’s educational needs for delivering physical activity programs post-stroke (122432)

Natalie A. Fini 1 , Gillian Mead 2 , Sandra A. Billinger 3 , Marie-Louise Bird 4 , Janice Eng 5 , Coralie English 6 , Sarah A. Moore 7 , John Solomon 8 , Katharina Sunnerhagen 9 , Shamala Thilarajah 10 , Frederike van Wijck 11
  1. Physiotherapy Department, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  2. Ageing and Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  3. Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, USA
  4. School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
  5. Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, Canada
  6. School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  7. Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
  8. Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal , India
  9. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
  10. Physiotherapy Department, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
  11. School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Background:

The World Stroke Organisation Guidelines recommend physical activity (PA) post-stroke for secondary prevention, but it is unclear whether health professionals are sufficiently trained and confident to implement these.

Aims:

  • Determine whether health professionals report sufficient training and confidence for implementing post-stroke PA guidelines;
  • Identify educational needs and preferred delivery formats

Methods:

A worldwide anonymous online survey of health professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical practitioners) was conducted. It comprised three sections: 1) demographics; 2) knowledge, skills, training and confidence around 12 constructs concerning PA post-stroke; 3) educational preferences. Data were analysed with non-parametric statistics.

Results:

Survey respondents (n=235) were from 33 countries; predominantly female (74%), physiotherapists (76%) and from high income countries (84%).

The median (IQR) proportion of physiotherapists reporting sufficient training in promoting and delivering PA after stroke was 40% (7.8%) compared with 29.5% (8.5%) of non-physiotherapists (P=0.015); the median (IQR) proportion of physiotherapists reporting being sufficiently confident was 54% (7.8%) compared with 45% (8.3%) of non-physiotherapists (P=0.026).

The majority of respondents (56% of physiotherapists and 60% of non-physiotherapists) reported insufficient training in safety aspects of PA intervention delivery; 65% of physiotherapists and 75% of non-physiotherapists indicated they had not received sufficient training in the basic skill of promoting PA.

Accredited online e-learning was the preferred mode of education delivery (67%).

Conclusion:

This survey identified concerning gaps in confidence and training amongst health professionals in promoting and delivering post-stroke PA. Accredited online educational resources are needed to implement global post-stroke PA guidelines and optimise stroke recovery.