The Role of Intermediaries in Connecting Community-Dwelling Adults to Local Physical Activity and Exercise

A Scoping Review

Bibliographic Data

ID16812751
AuthorsMegan O’Grady (0000-0001-6770-4764, Trinity College Dublin, corresponding author), Deirdre Connolly (0000-0001-8539-8123, Trinity College Dublin, corresponding author), Megan Kennedy (0000-0003-2337-6441, Trinity College Dublin), David Mockler (0000-0001-6171-8751, Trinity College Dublin, corresponding author), Julie Broderick (0000-0002-2572-6479, Trinity College Dublin), Emer Barrett (0000-0002-3199-6870, Trinity College Dublin, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume24
Issue2
Pages12-12
Publication date2024-05-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Integrated Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1568-4156 • E-ISSN: 1568-4156
PublisherUbiquity Press, Ltd. (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.5334/ijic.7731
PMID38706537
OpenAlexW4396581634
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited49

Introduction: Connecting inactive individuals to local physical activity (PA) and exercise, via intermediaries (professionals who can facilitate and support connections to non-medical services) may be an effective method to tackle physical inactivity. Evidence regarding the processes of intermediaries, the profile of people referred, how connections to local PA and exercise are made and outcomes of these connections is lacking. Methods: This scoping review followed guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Searches of four electronic databases (Embase, Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL) and an extensive grey literature search were conducted from inception to June 2022. Full-text studies which reported on community-dwelling adults (population), and the processes of intermediaries (concept) when connecting to local PA and exercise (context) were considered for inclusion. A logic model was created to map processes to outcomes. Evidence advances and gaps were identified. Results: N = 28 studies were identified. Participants referred to an intermediary were older, female, and with poorer health. Where possible, the processes of referral, assessment, follow-up and discharge by intermediaries were described, as well as the local PA and exercise services used. Short-term PA outcomes appeared positive after working with intermediaries, but many studies were poorly described, and the review was not designed to examine effectiveness of this intervention. Discussion/Conclusion: Many aspects of the processes were poorly described. More robust studies evaluating the processes of intermediaries are needed, as well as further exploration of the optimum processes in improving PA outcomes

Business · Intermediary · Knowledge management · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Process management · Computer Science · Medicine · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research · Physical Activity and Health · Urban Transport and Accessibility · Marketing

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