Perspectives of disabled adults on healthcare professionals role in promoting physical activity in China A reflexive thematic analysis

TL;DR

This study explores how disabled adults in China view healthcare professionals' role in promoting physical activity, highlighting the need for better communication and personalized guidance.

Contribution

The study introduces new insights into disabled adults' perspectives on healthcare professionals' role in promoting physical activity in China.

Findings

Disabled adults value healthcare professionals integrating physical activity into medical care but note gaps in guidance and support.

Clear and disability-sensitive communication is essential for building trust and encouraging physical activity participation.

Training healthcare professionals in personalized guidance and role clarity is recommended to improve physical activity promotion.

Abstract

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have been identified as key messengers for disabled adults in promoting physical activity (PA). However, few studies revealed the disabled adults’ views and preferences for HCPs in PA. This study aimed to understand disabled adults’ perceptions and experiences of the role of HCPs in promoting PA in China. Forty-one Chinese disabled adults participated in one-to-one semi-structured interviews, recruited by three purposive sampling strategies: maximum variation, criterion-based and snowball sampling. Data from interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: (1) mastery beyond the medical, (2) title clarification within a HCP hierarchy, and (3) balancing medical and lay words with accessibility. Participants valued the role of HCPs in integrating PA within medical care but noted gaps such as insufficient guidance on transitioning PA to daily life, lack of diverse options, and limited support for fostering autonomy in PA quality participation. Misunderstandings about HCP roles hindered effective healthcare interactions, while clear, disability-sensitive communication was essential for building trust and fostering PA participation. This study highlights the need for HCP training to improve personalised PA guidance, role clarity, and communication skills alongside policy changes to better support disabled adults in PA participation. Additionally, future research should involve a broader sample to improve these PA strategies and assess their impact.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-97921-4.

Figures