Developing a Social Media Resource to Promote Physical Activity in Teenage Girls

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Active Living.png

In 2011, Start Active, Stay Active[1] was published in conjunction with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, The Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and the Department of Health. This UK-wide document presents guidelines on the amount, duration, frequency and manner of physical activity required across various age related demographics to achieve general health benefits.

This report from all four Chief Medical Officers across the UK is aimed at a range of organisations (inclusive of, but not limited to, the NHS and local authorities) whose intention is to design services to promote physical activity. The document was formulated for policymakers, professionals, and practitioners whose aim is to devise and bring into effect policies and measures that employ the promotion of physical activity, sport, and exercise in order to achieve health benefits.

Start Active, Stay Active[1] highlighted three guidelines specifically aimed at children and young people (5-18 years) irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic background: 

1. All children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day.
2. Vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, should be incorporated at least three     days a week.
3. All children and young people should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary for extended periods.

Types of activities recommended by Start Active, Stay Active[1] can be seen in Table 1:

Table 1



  

Evidence Base Regarding Current Guidelines[edit | edit source]

Significant evidence, composed of both observational and experimental research, suggests that regular involvement in physical activity among children and young people offers benefits for physical and psychological well-being both in the short and long term.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
With specific reference to the guidelines highlighted by Start Active, Stay Active,[1] greater levels of physical activity have been shown to be associated with more positive health-related outcomes. This is reported in studies which showed improvements in health-related measures as a result of exercise-based interventions.[10][11][12] Equally, although some health benefits have been reported as a result of only 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day, it has been suggested that this should be implemented as a ‘stepping-stone’ towards the optimal level of 60 minutes.[13][14]


Physical activity of vigorous intensity has been shown to improve components of health such as cardiorespiratory fitness, bone strength and muscular strength.[3][13][10][11] More recent evidence[10][11] suggests that the optimum amount of physical activity required to improve bone health may be greater than previously understood.[3] This is reflected in the guidelines as an increase from twice to three times per week. The current evidence[2][15] suggests that extended sedentary behaviour is an independent risk factor for reduced health and correlates strongly with obesity/overweight and metabolic dysfunction although the evidence does not offer any specific maximum or minimum recommended periods of sedentary behaviour.

Other guidelines specifically addressing physical activity and teenagers include NICE[16] and WHO.[17] Equally, specific mention should be made to the The Scottish Allied Health Professions Directors (AHPD) ‘Pledge to Increase Physical Activity in Scotland.’[18] This pledge, aimed at all allied health professionals (AHPs), seeks to increase the level of physical activity in Scotland; importantly, this pledge specifically makes reference to the use of social media:  “Use social media opportunities to promote the Pledge and physical activity."[18]


The evidence behind the AHPD ‘Pledge to Increase Physical Activity in Scotland’[18] is summarised in this YouTube clip[19]

  Current Participation Levels  [edit | edit source]

[20]

In Scotland, by the time females have reached the age of 18, 40% dropout of all sports activity.[21] It is well documented that sport dropout rates for teenage females exceed that of males the same age.[22] The Scottish Government’s 2020 healthcare vision recognises Scotland’s population is living longer. This demographic change will place an increased strain on healthcare budgets. The vision also recognises the need to focus on prevention. Targeting teenage females to increase their physical activity is one of the necessary health prevention measures to help ensure the health of the future work force and to reduce the demand on health services.[23]

Please click the following link for further information regarding 2020 Healthcare vision. 

Decreased physical activity has a number of consequences. Individuals failing to achieve activity levels previously mentioned in the 'Start Active, Stay Active' guidelines, are more prone to coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, type two diabetes, hypertension, obesity, non-specific lower back pain, as well as an increased prevalence of cancer.[21]

Exercise also promotes psychological and social wellbeing. The psychological benefits include increased self-esteem, confidence and body image perception, along with decreased stress, depression and anxiety by up to 48%. Developing team-working skills, increased sexual health and academic performance are included in some of the social advantages. Studies have also demonstrated that exercise can reduce the likelihood of teens engaging in anti-social behaviour which is described as causing harassment, alarm or distress to members of society through intention or negligence.[21]

Health promotion is a vital component of the role of a physiotherapist.[24] The current system of health promotion of physical wellbeing aimed at teenage females, with a dropout rate of 40%, does not appear to be working.There is a need for new, innovative strategies focusing on health prevention in teenage females, considering the high level of sports dropout within this population.[23][21] The Woman’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) is encouraging national governing bodies to use social media methods such as Facebook to encourage sports participation in teenage females. The WSFF[22] also highlight some of the reasons related to dropout rates, these include 'friends no longer participating', 'too competitive' and 'issues of body consciousness'. These reasons contribute to a negative spiral associated with increased dropout rates and highlights how a vicious cycle can occur when even a few participants dropout of an activity. 

 What Can Be Done? [edit | edit source]

To target the population of teenage females in order to promote physical activity and healthy living, one must recognise the best means of communication with which to do so. Social media refers to forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.[25] These include social networking sites, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Pinterest as well as podcasts, blogs, wikis, forums, and content communities.[26] Social networking is the fastest-growing active social media behaviour online, increasing from 36% to 59% of global internet users managing their profile on a monthly basis by the end of 2011.[27] The YouTube video below provides a brief depiction of the vast worldwide communication through social media that has become a so prominent in recent history.

[28]

Utilising these methods of communication to promote an idea, event, lifestyle, or product is presently being undertaken by millions of people around the world. As of 2012, there are over 2.8 billion social media profiles, representing around half of all Internet users worldwide.[27] Currently, and more importantly, AHP Directors along with the Scottish Government have proposed, through the aforementioned Pledge, a ‘call to action’ to AHPs to promote physical activity in all Health Boards across Scotland.[29] Therefore, physiotherapists have a professional responsibility regarding the promotion of physical activity and with this resource it is hoped, a greater ability to effectively engage the taget demographic of young females through social networking.

To view the Pledge please click here .[29]

Social Networking via Facebook[edit | edit source]

Monthly Active Users

Current evidence and statistics suggest a multitude of different social networking resources could be of benefit in targeting teenage females. For the purpose of this resource, Facebook will be the social network of choice to connect and communicate with the chosen demographic.

There are many positive attributes and reinforcing evidence to suggest that Facebook will be efficient and effective at reaching this target audience.

  • 89% of agencies reported an intent to use Facebook to advertise for their clients in 2012 – either by purchasing ads, creating pages, or other methods of engagement.[27]
  • In the UK, at the beginning of 2013 there was an estimated 33 million accounts for Facebook, which is just under 53% of the UK population.
  • In 2012, it was reported that both Facebook and Twitter have the same gender distribution, being 40% male and 60% female, whereas Pinterest is the most female-dominated site with 79% of its users being female.[30] 
  • Research carried out by the London School of Economics for the European Commission in 2010, surveyed 25,000 youths, between the ages of 9 and 16 from across Europe. In the UK, 88% of the 13 – 16 year olds maintained a social networking profile, more specifically, 46% of these 13 – 16 year olds used Facebook as their main social network site.[31]

What Type of Content to Include on The Facebook Page?   [edit | edit source]

It is vital that the information on the Facebook page is appropriate and safe for the target audience. It needs to be an effective intervention to achieve its aim to promote physically active lifestyles. It also needs to be tailored to its target audience, in this case adolescent females aged between 12 and 18 years.[32]

Changing Trends[edit | edit source]

It is important to understand the changing trends that occur within social media in order to keep up to date with the best resources available to connect and communicate with the target audience. Changing trends have been reported recently regarding teenage use of social networking. Although Facebook appears to be in relative decline, it continues to have a significant online presence and at this time remains suitable in both targeting the chosen demographic, and as a medium for presenting the chosen information aimed at increasing physical activity levels within this demographic. However, this may not be the case in the future and health professionals should be aware of this. Figure 1 shows the trends that have been reported in October 2013.[31]

Figure 1

[33]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

The incidence of adolescents searching for health related information has also been studied. Borzekowski and Rickert (2001) reported that physical activity, fitness, and exercise ranked second among health topics searched for online by youths in a school-based survey (Table 2). This particular survey does not consider gender differences, yet another questionnaire involving the same students revealed that girls rated information on birth control, diet and nutrition, exercise, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and dating violence as the most worthwhile to have access to on the internet.[34] 

Table 2

[34]

Similarly and more recently, Ettel et al. (2012) revealed that a significant number of students trusted the online information, and nearly one-quarter subsequently modified their behaviour, regardless of whether or not the information students retrieved was from a legitimate source. 'Researching' on the Internet by students often includes sites such as Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. It is unreasonable to expect adolescents to delve into peer-reviewed medical literature.[35] A physiotherapist’s Facebook page will be considered a legitimate source, as we maintain clinical governance and evidence-based practice as outlined by CSP.


A systematic review was performed by Lau et al. (2011), which presented evidence supporting positive effects of information and communication technology in physical activity interventions for children and adolescents, especially when used with other delivery approaches (eg. face to face). The review recognised the explicit need for increased studies and research into the impact of social networking to promote physical activity in children and adolescents, and also recognised that the development of a physically active lifestyle may require up to 6 months, therefore considerations for longer duration follow ups may be needed.[36]    


Social media, in today’s teenage population, has become a significant part of every day life, and social networking has been shown to be the most commonly adopted. Social networking and more specifically Facebook is an appropiate medium for physiotherapists and other health professionals to connect and effectively communicate with the demographic of teenage females in order to promote health and physical activity.

Difficulty With Physical Activity Adherence[edit | edit source]

Regardless of the known social, health, and personal benefits of regular exercise mentioned earlier, many people still remain sedentary. Lack of time, energy or motivation are often quoted as reasons not to be active. Interestingly, these factors are all internal and personally controllable and are able to be changed.[37]Even after sedentary people have been inspired to start exercising, the next barrier they face is continuing their exercise program. Exercise adherence can be difficult for some people for a number of reasons:

  • The recommendations are often based on fitness data, ignoring psychological readiness to exercise.
  • Most exercise prescriptions are overly restrictive and do not allow for development of self motivation for regular exercise.
  • Exercise recommendations based on rigid principles of intensity, duration and frequency are too challenging for many people especially beginners.
  • Traditional exercise prescription does not promote self-responsibility or encourage people to adopt long-term behaviour changes. [37]


In order to enhance the effectiveness of the Facebook page, it is important its content does not reflect the above points. Effective interventions are created by employing theory and research based knowledge about the determinants of physical activity. [38]

Models and Theories of Exercise Behaviour [edit | edit source]

There are a number of theoretical models that help to explain the process of physical activity adoption and adherence. [39]

Transtheoretical Model (TTM)[edit | edit source]

The TTM[40] integrates current behavioural status with a person’s intention to maintain or change their pattern of behaviour. The core of this model is five stages of motivational readiness for change, these are summarised in Figure 2.  When considering content for the Facebook page, try to include information that is appropriate for people in each of these stages. For those in the precontemplation stage for example, provide information regarding the benefits of regular exercise, or tips for injury prevention for those in the maintenance stage.


Figure 2:Summary of Transtheoretical Model



Social Cognitive Theory[edit | edit source]


Social Cognitive Theory[41] [42]proposes that personal, behavioural, and environmental factors operate as collective interacting determinants. Interventions based on the Social Cognitive Theory focus on the importance of the individual’s ability to control her/his own behaviour and on how changes in the individual, the environment, or in both can produce changes in behaviour. Interventions derived from Social Cognitive Theory utilise techniques such as goal setting, self monitoring (exercise diaries) relapse prevention training, stimulus control strategies (identifying high risk thoughts and feelings) and social support to promote changes in physical activity.

Creating an Effective Intervention to Promote Physical Activity[edit | edit source]

Interventions do not directly change behaviour, but they act to modify one or more PA determinants, which can result in increased physical activity. Determinants are factors that relate to physical activity adherence and can be thought of as falling into two categories: personal and environmental. They are not to be considered as isolated variables, but rather, they influence and are influenced by each other as they contribute to behaviour outcomes.[37] Personal factors consist of variables such as self-efficacy, self-motivation and/or past participation in exercise.[43]Environmental factors include social environment (family and peers), the physical environment (weather, facilities, time) and characteristics of physical activity (intensity, duration, frequency). [37]

Kahn et al.[44] conducted a review of all physical activity interventions and identified the determinants of pysical activity allegedly influenced by interventions. This information was used to classify the interventions as one of the following approaches:

  • Informational approaches – aims to change the knowledge and attitude about the benefits of and opportunities for physical activity.
  • Behavioural approaches – teaches people the behavioural management skills to adopt and maintain physical activity.
  • Social approaches- aims to create a social environment that facilitates and enhances behavioural change.
  • Environmental and policy approach- targets the structure of physical and organisational environment to provide safe, attractive and convenient places for physical activity.

The advantage of a Facebook page is that all of these approaches can be utilised in one intervention, which can influence a large number of determinates at the same time. 

Effective Content to Promote Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls[edit | edit source]


As mentioned earlier it is essential to tailor the intervention to its target audience. To optimise adolescent female's participation and adherence to physical activity, it is pointless providing information on the Facebook page that focuses on traditional, strict, 'boring' and unattractive exercise prescription. It is necessary to identify factors that are associated with physical activity, are amenable to change and can be addressed realistically within the page.

Determinants of PA for Adolescent Females[edit | edit source]


In adolescent females the most cited determinants of physical activity were as follows:

  • Time constraint: Teenage females report being “too busy” and having conflicts with other activities which are preventing them from exercising.[45][46][47][48]These findings suggest the importance of helping adolescents learn time management strategies. Include tips on the Facebook page advocating making physical activity a priority and recommend ways to fit physical activity into their daily lives eg. engaging in 3 x 10 minutes of physical activity spread throughout their day or by keeping activity logs. 

Helentime.jpg

 

  • Support from parents, teachers and peers: Parents and teachers need to hear how much their support matters to their children, even at the high school level. [46]In addition to parental support, peer influences appear to be very important with respect to participation in organised sport. [49]Influences of a best friend were more highly associated with physical activity behaviour than influences of parents.[49] The Facebook page should encourage the social aspect of physical activity and emphasise peer support and participation as well as exercising with groups.

Helenfamily.jpg

  • Self-efficacy to be physically active: Another strong predictor of physical activity is self-perception and self-efficacy to be physically active. [50]Bandura’s self-efficacy theory suggested that confidence in a personal ability to carry out a behaviour, influences adoption of that behaviour. [42]Consequently, females who have high self-efficacy in their capabilities to be physically active will recognise fewer barriers to exercise or be less affected by them, be more likely to perceive the benefits of physical activity, and be more likely to enjoy it. [51]Bandura’s theory indicated a number of sources of self-efficacy including: personal accomplishments, vicarious experiences (modelling), verbal persuasion, imaginal experience, physiological states, and emotional states.


Helenselfeff.jpg


It is possible to provide some of these sources within the Facebook page to increase self-efficacy in adolescent females. For example, performance accomplishments are based on one’s mastery experience, therefore emphasise the use of achievable goal setting.[50] The use of role models is a prime example of vicarious experience. Vescio et al. investigated the use of role models to encourage teenage females to maintain participation in physical activity. [52]It was implied that using sports role models could enhance interventions to promote physical activity. They also identified key attributes of the sports role model as:

  • Mostly female.
  • Under 40 years old.
  • Similar sporting background.
  • Having a combination of essential feminine and masculine qualities.

Interestingly, adolescent girls often nominated a family member with affinity for sport as their role model.  

Body Image[edit | edit source]

Body image is a multidimensional concept that indicates how one sees one's own body, and how one thinks, feels and acts towards it. [38]It involves interplay between one's body reality, and one's body ideal. Body image is what one's actual physical characteristics are, compared to what one thinks one's body should look like. Negative body image arises as a consequence of perceived environmental pressure to conform to a culturally-defined body and beauty ideal. [53]Women are at a higher risk of developing a negative body image than men. [54]The mass media appears to be the biggest source of this ideal, promoting an unrealistic and artificial image of female beauty that is impossible for the majority of females. [55]Growing numbers of young women risk their health trying to imitate the body images portrayed in the media. The wrong messages can be harmful to mental self-imaging and self-esteem. Longitudinal research suggests that body dissatisfaction is not merely a development phase, but continues through adolescence into young adulthood. [56]

 [57]
Exercise has been shown to improve body image among both men and women. [58]For the purpose of a Facebook page, there are several things to keep in mind when promoting exercise and physical activity to improve body image. Firstly, when promoting exercise it is important to show a wide variety of body sizes, shapes and fitness levels. [38]Showing super fit models sends the message that a fit appearance is a requirement for exercising, particularly in gyms. Secondly, the aim of the page should be to promote improving physical function, strength, endurance, and behavioural changes, rather than on changing physical appearance and losing weight per se. [59]Efforts should be made to help females set realistic and attainable goals. Finally, although many females will start exercising to improve their body image, the page should be directed towards educating them about the other physical and mental benefits of exercise; as well as promoting the page as a resource to provide fun extra-curricular opportunities, spending time with friends or meeting new people, and to gain recognition from peers and adults rather than to prevent obesity or chronic disease later in life.[59]

Helensmart.jpg
Summary of The Do’s and Don’ts
[edit | edit source]

Do’s
• Promote healthy lifestyle changes.
• Provide cues for exercise motivation (pictures, memes and videos).
• Make exercise enjoyable and purposeful.
• Tailor information to the target audience.
• Include information for all stages of motivational readiness for change.
• Promote exercise with friends.
• Advise on time management skills.
• Offer a choice of activities.
• Find convenient, safe and suitable places to exercise.
• Encourage self setting of  SMART goals. 
• Promote support from family and peers.
• Suggest keeping daily exercise logs.
• Use realistic role models.
• Show a wide variety of body sizes, shapes and fitness levels.
 
Don’ts
• Focus on weight loss and body image.
• Use pictures of ultra-fit women with idealistic body types.
• Promote unrealistic workout programmes. 
• Use difficult scientific language.

In order to ensure the Facebook page is a successful intervention to promote physical activity in adolescent females, it is necessary to use evidence-based models and theories as a framework to understand the process of exercise adoption and adherence. Additionally, the information provided on the page should focus on key determinants of physical activity that are targeted towards adolescent females. Efforts should be made to suggest gaining support from significant others, address real and perceived time constraints, and help adolescent females feel better about themselves in general and more specifically about their physical activity skills.   

 What to Consider When Constructing a Social Media Resource[edit | edit source]

The CSP provides a document called Social Media Guidance[60], and should be referred to, to highlight the legal, regulatory and professional perspectives of using and creating a social media page as a professional. Specific guidance includes legal, regulatory and professional considerations.

Legal Considerations[edit | edit source]

  • Maintaining privacy and confidentiality when uploading and sharing information.
  • Be aware of defamation; consider what you are writing and communicating.
  • Be alert to harassment, including racist, sexist or homophobic comments.

Regulatory Considerations[edit | edit source]

The HCPC has no specific guidance on the use of social media but as registrants, the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics are equally applicable to social media use:

  • Act in the best interests of service users.
  • Respect confidentiality of service users.
  • Keep high standards of personal conduct.
  • Behave honestly and with integrity, making sure that your behaviour does not damage the public’s confidence in you and your profession.

Professional Considerations[edit | edit source]

CSP code

  • Ensure confidential information acquired remains secure.
  • Recognise potential impacts of personal behavior, life-style and activity. 
  • Recognise the role as an advocate of physiotherapy.

Maintaining clear professional boundaries

  • Maintain high security settings on personal accounts.
  • Establish clear boundaries with users. 

            - Do not respond to requests from users via your personal account.
            - Do not friend request/accept current or former users.
            - Ensure professional communications at all times.

Consent

  • Gaining appropriate consent when using images, video clips and information.
  • Giving clear information on how users' information will be used.[60]

Working with Adolescents and Children[edit | edit source]

As some users may be under the age of 18, it is important to have knowledge and an understanding of relevant policies relating to the care of children. When suggesting activities and groups on a social media page, items of safety, child protection and consent must be considered, eg. appropriate training, and criminal record checks.[61] Being aware of child safety policies will fulfill the requirements of the CSP, HCPC and UK law to support the delivery of consistent high quality standards of care for children and their families.[62]

Other Considerations[edit | edit source]

Consider inclusive programmes and activities that consider religion, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical and mental ability.

Be aware and able to address potential cyberbullying

 Creating a Facebook Page - A Step by Step Guide[edit | edit source]

Facebook users have to register and create a personal profile, after which they can connect or “become friends” with other users, exchange messages and become members of groups or followers of pages. Based on a survey of 4,000 physicians, 61 % of them use Facebook for personal purposes; and 15 % of them use it for professional purposes. Moreover, 33 % of physicians have received friend requests from their patients on Facebook and only 75 % of them declined the request.[63] Therefore, it may be useful to create a separate professional profile before creating any page or group.

The purpose of a Facebook Group is to provide a place for small group communication and for people to share their common interests and express their opinion.[64] Conversely, Facebook Pages are useful for businesses, organisations and brands to share their stories and connect with people. Pages can be customised by adding apps, posting stories, hosting events and more. People who 'like' your Page and their 'friends' will get updates in 'News Feed'. You can create and manage a Facebook Page from your professional account. Below is a guide on how to achieve this.

How to Create a New Facebook Page[edit | edit source]

When creating a Facebook Page you need to first decide on a topic or idea to centre the page around. For the purposes of this resource we have decided to focus on health provision in teenage females in the Midlothian region of Scotland.

Once you have decided on the topic, you can then create the page on Facebook by following these steps:

Please click on the images to enlarge the print screens of the Facebook page. 

  1. Log in to your professional Facebook account and click on the ‘create a Page’ option in the sidebar. If this option is not available, enter ‘create a Page’ into the search box and it will take you directly to the screen.
     
    Step 1

  2. Take a look at the main categories of the Pages and decide which one fits your resource. Click on one of the boxes to select that main category for your resource, and browse through the categories in the drop-down menus to see which one fits best; we found the community option best suited our needs.
    FB2.jpg

  3. Enter the name of your resource and select the box next to “I agree to Facebook Pages Terms” after reading said Terms. You will be able to change your Page name up until the point you have 200 'fans' (or 'likes').
  4. Add your basic ‘about’ information.  This information will appear on your page just below your cover photo. It should be noted that the ‘about’ page will be indexed in Google, therefore it useful to ensure it is very descriptive and contains relevant keywords. There is also the option to link to a website if you have one at this stage. You may want to direct people to other relevant sites, such as Twitter or other social media sites.
    Step 4

  5. Add your profile picture. This image will appear next to every post that goes into the news feed from your Page so should be recognisable and associated to your resource (such as a logo).
  6. Next you have the option to advertise your page in order to reach a wider audience (if there are finances available to do so). This option can be disregarded if it is not relevant to you.
  7. Following this you will now have a completed Facebook Page and you will be directed to the page's admin panel. From here you receive updates about your page in a summarised form and, perhaps more importantly, at this stage, can access the settings section to edit your privacy and security options.
    Step 7

  8. Finally, by clicking on ‘edit page’ and then ‘edit settings’ you will have the options to protect your page as you see fit. It may be useful to initially ‘unpublish’ your page in order to familiarise yourself with the page and make any alterations whilst it is not able to be viewed by the public. When the page is ready it can then ‘published’ again. By carefully considering each option in this section you can ensure control of: who can post (posting ability) and who can see the page (country/ age restrictions) as well as having control over what is being said on your news feed (page moderation/ profanity filter).
Step 8


Evaluation of Resource [edit | edit source]

Evaluating the usefulness of the social media resource will allow improvements to be made in its delivery. When evaluating any social media resource, it is important to know the common problems that may compromise the process such as, measuring outcomes too early (before change can occur), having unrealistic expectations of the target population, and measuring the wrong outcomes.[65] Several possibilities to evaluate the effectiveness of the Facebook page include:

  • Taking account of the number of 'likes' on the page.
  • Tracking the comments on posts, shares of posts, and 'likes' of posts made on the page.
  • Setting up Facebook polls asking users questions about current postings, classes, activities and preferences.
  • Receiving feedback from instructors.
  • Asking instructors from classes and activities to participate in handing out questionnaires and taking attendance in their classes.

    For Example:
        -  Where participants heard about the page and/or class, event, or activity.

        -  Their impressions of the page and classes.

        -  The feelings and emotions of the participant before, during, and after the activity.

        -   Intentions of the class participant to continue utilising the page as a resource or suggesting the page to a 'friend'.

 Promotion of the Page [edit | edit source]

There are several options available to promote the proposed social media resource:

  • Creating leaflets that can be handed out in physiotherapy clinics.
  • Promotion of the Facebook page or social media resource may be brought up in discussion with the appropiate patients who are part of the target audience.  
  • Within an assessment, a physiotherapist can promote the page once physical inactivity is recognised as an issue.

           - The Pledge promotes the use of a standardised flow chart that can be used in every patient's assessment by

             physiotherapists to bring up the topic of physical activity. Please click the following link to see the flow chart. 

  • Promoting the Facebook page in local high schools and youth clubs.
  • Word of mouth proves to be more effective than other types of marketing and is most appropiate form of promotion for the resource if no funding is available.[66]

Continuing Professional Development [edit | edit source]

As mentioned previously, creating a social media resource for promoting health prevention aimed at teenage females could be incorporated as part of continuing professional development (CPD). CPD is required by the HCPC to maintain physiotherapy registration. The HCPC requires members to:

  1. Record their CPD activities.
  2. Expand on how these CPD activities are relevant to their practice, currently and in the future.
  3. How this has added value to their practice and demonstrate.
  4. How it benefits the service user.

These standards can be met by using reflective practice within eportfolio.[67]

It can be argued that the increased promotion of preventative medicine is relevant to all healthcare professionals within all clinical specialities[23].

Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing referring to Scotland’s 2020 vision stated:

“ Everyone who is involved in the delivery of healthcare in Scotland is asked to play their part in making this vision a reality and to live the values that are shared across Scotland’s Health Service to guide the way they work and decisions they take”[23].

As a physiotherapist, if an individual does not meet national recommendations as to type and amount of weekly physical activity, not only could that individual be guided as to what they need to do, but also how to achieve this. The social media resource or Facebook page provides the opportunity to make this a reality. This would benefit the service user as well as enhancing quality of practice. Guidance should be given on the basis of their social history routinely, independent of health related risk factors. However, it may be appropriate to incorporate expert advice as to what classes may be more appropriate than others considering the patient’s ailment or condition[67].

Resources[edit | edit source]

Guidance on helping keep children and young people safe online – NSPCC
Social media guidance – CSP
2007 Information to guide good practice for physiotherapists working with children – ACPC

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Department of Health, Physical Activity, Health Improvement and Protection. Start active, stay active: a report on physical activity from the four home countries' Chief Medical Officers. London: Department of Health, 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sedentary Behaviour and Obesity Expert Working Group. Sedentary Behaviour and Obesity: Review of the Current Scientific Evidence. London: Department of Health, 2010.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Department of Health. At least five a week: Evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health. A report from the Chief Medical Officer. www.webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics/publications/publicationspolicyandguidance/dh_4080994 (accessed 10 October 2013).
  4. Dumith SC, Gigante DP, Domingues MR, Kohl HW. Physical activity change during adolescence: A systematic review and a pooled analysis. International Journal of Epidemiology 2011;40(3):685-98.
  5. Janssen I, LeBlanc AG. Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity 2010;7(40):1-16.
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