Patients’ experiences with a behaviour change intervention to enhance physical activity in primary care: a mixed methods study

Objective: To explore the experiences of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease in primary care with the Activate intervention in relation to their success in increasing their physical activity.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design, parallel to a cluster-randomised controlled trial in primary care, using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews was conducted. Questionnaires from 67 patients were analysed, and semi-structured interviews of 22 patients were thematically analysed. Experiences of patients who had objectively increased their physical activity (responders) were compared to those who had not (non-responders). Objective success was analysed in relation to self-perceived success.

Results: The questionnaire and interview data corresponded, and no substantial differences among responders and non-responders emerged. Participating in the intervention increased their awareness of their physical activity and their physical activity level. Key components of t...