Exploration of Sedentary Behaviour Among General Practitioners: A Mixed Methods Study

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
A sequential, mixed-methods study exploring sedentary behaviour among General Practitioners and General Practice Specialty Trainees.

Detailed Description
-----------------
The study follows a sequential, mixed-methods model involving three stages. The first stage will involve the dissemination of a questionnaire survey, in which participants will self-estimate their sedentary behaviour on a working day and on a non-working day. The second stage will involve the use of thigh-worn accelerometers and a sleep/work log to obtain objective data regarding sedentary behaviour among a purposive subset of participants who responded to the questionnaire. The third stage will involve semi-structured interviews with a purposive subset of participants who wore the accelerometers, which will be analysed with the application of a theoretical framework regarding the acceptability of healthcare interventions.

Official Title
-----------------
Exploration of Sedentary Behaviour Among General Practitioners: A Mixed Methods Study

Conditions
-----------------
Sedentary Behavior

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Questionnaire survey
* Device: Accelerometer study
* Other: Semi-structured interview study


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Participants will be General Practitioners or General Practice Specialty Trainees working in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Exclusion Criteria: Not working as a General Practitioner or General Practice Specialty Trainee in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 23 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Questionnaire survey<br>An initial online questionnaire, based on the International Sedentary Assessment Tool (ISAT), will be distributed to General Practice Specialty Trainees (GPSTs) and General Practitioners (GPs) throughout Northern Ireland. | Other: Questionnaire survey<br>* Online questionnaire, based on the International Sedentary Assessment Tool (ISAT)<br>|
| Accelerometer study<br>A purposive sample of questionnaire respondents will be asked to participate in the accelerometer study. This purposive sample will be based on responses to the online questionnaire. The aim will be to obtain a varied sample, based on questionnaire responses, by selecting individuals with a range of demographic characteristics and self-reported levels of sedentary behaviour. Some participants will also be asked to complete a further online survey, while wearing the accelerometer, regarding their health, wellbeing, burnout and fatigue. | Other: Questionnaire survey<br>* Online questionnaire, based on the International Sedentary Assessment Tool (ISAT)<br>Device: Accelerometer study<br>* Consenting participants will be asked to wear an accelerometer on the lateral aspect of the middle of the right thigh (over the midpoint of the iliotibial band), continuously over a seven-day period.<br>|
| Semi-structured interview study<br>A purposive sample comprising participants of the accelerometer study will be asked to participate in semi-structured interviews. This purposive sample will be based on the accelerometer data. The aim will be to obtain a varied sample, based on accelerometer data, by selecting individuals with a range of different levels of sedentary behaviour, demographic and workplace characteristics. The final number of participants will depend on the saturation of information. | Other: Questionnaire survey<br>* Online questionnaire, based on the International Sedentary Assessment Tool (ISAT)<br>Device: Accelerometer study<br>* Consenting participants will be asked to wear an accelerometer on the lateral aspect of the middle of the right thigh (over the midpoint of the iliotibial band), continuously over a seven-day period.<br>Other: Semi-structured interview study<br>* Semi-structured interviews will take place via telephone or webcam. Participants will be given feedback regarding their accelerometer data relating to their levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Questions will examine participants' thoughts and opinions regarding sedentary behaviour and physical activity in the General Practice setting. Further questions will explore participants' experiences of wearing accelerometers, their knowledge of and attitudes towards physical activity and sedentary behaviour and their thoughts or suggestions on interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour among GPs and GPSTs.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-reported sedentary behaviour |  | Autumn 2020 | 
| Accelerometer measured sedentary behaviour |  | Autumn 2021 | 
| Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews |  | Autumn 2021 | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
General Practitioner, Primary Care, Sedentary Behaviour, Physical Activity