Reporting, Referral, Attendance and Prescription within Scottish Exercise Referral Schemes: Four linked studies

Abstract

This thesis reports four studies, presented across five thesis Chapters, examining pathway from referral through to prescription of exercise referral schemes (ERS). The overall purpose of the research was to open the ‘black box’ and provide a rich description of key components of the ERS pathway. The studies presented in this thesis yield novel evidence about the ERS pathway and improves understanding of key components that influence the effectiveness of ERS. The research provides new knowledge about inconsistent reporting of ERS (study one), socio-demographic characteristics of non-attendees and attendees (study two), exercise prescription (FITT) and instructors’ perceptions of motivating people to exercise (study three), and primary care health professionals’ perceptions of PA promotion in primary care (study four). The overall purpose of the research was to open the ‘black box’ and provide a rich description of key components of the ERS pathway. Focusing solely on outcome measures is important, however, without recording the how’s and whys we may fail to identify best or current practice, judging effectiveness inappropriately.