Role of medical doctors in promoting and supporting sports participation by people with disabilities: an exploratory study of medical doctors’ knowledge, practices and perceptions

TL;DR

Medical doctors often recognize the benefits of sports for people with disabilities but lack confidence and knowledge to support participation effectively.

Contribution

This study explores medical doctors' knowledge, practices, and perceptions in promoting sports for people with disabilities.

Findings

Most doctors acknowledged the benefits of sports for people with disabilities but had low confidence in guiding patients.

Only 15.5% of doctors had experience with pre-participation assessments for disability sports.

Limited awareness of disability sports was identified as a major barrier to effective promotion.

Abstract

Despite the well-documented benefits of sports for individuals with disabilities, participation remains low, and disability-related medical complications are a major barrier. Medical doctors, as trusted sources of health information on physical activity with sustained patient contact, are well-positioned to manage these issues and promote safe participation in sports. However, limited evidence exists regarding their role. This study explored medical doctors’ knowledge, practices and perceptions in promoting and supporting sports participation among people with disabilities.

An online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data from registered medical doctors internationally who provided direct general or specialised medical care to people with disabilities.

A total of 168 medical doctors from 16 countries participated. Most (91.1%) recognised the benefits of sports participation for people with disabilities and acknowledged their role in supporting participation (76.8%), while 69.7% identified medical complications as a barrier to participation. However, many reported low confidence in key areas: awareness of local disability sport organisations (53.6%); guiding patients (49.4%) and identifying relevant medical complications. Only 15.5% (of 58) had experience with pre-participation assessments. Limited awareness of disability sports, identified as a major barrier, and increasing awareness was the most frequently suggested strategy to enhance doctors’ involvement.

Although medical doctors recognised the benefits of sports for people with disabilities and their role in promoting and supporting participation, many reported low confidence in their knowledge of disability sports and in identifying potential medical complications that may hinder sport participation. Development of methods and materials is required to provide doctors with the knowledge and confidence to effectively promote sport participation among people with disabilities.