Fitness coordinators' and fitness instructors' perspectives on implementing a task-oriented community exercise program within a healthcare-recreation partnership for people with balance and mobility limitations: a qualitative study.

Background: Healthcare organizations are partnering with recreation organizations to support the delivery of community-based exercise programs for people with balance and mobility limitations. The value and impact of support strategies provided by healthcare organizations, however, have not been examined.Objective: Study objectives were to explore fitness coordinators' and fitness instructors' experiences with implementing a task-oriented community-based exercise program for people with balance and mobility limitations within the context of a healthcare-recreation partnership.Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Fitness coordinators and instructors involved with delivering a licensed, group, task-oriented community-based exercise program for people with balance and mobility limitations supported by a healthcare-recreation partnership were interviewed by telephone. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed.Results: Eight fitness coordinators and 8 fitness instructors from 14 recreation centres were interviewed. Findings showed that healthcare-recreation partnerships help to optimize exercise program quality and safety through multiple strategies. Fitness coordinators and instructors still face challenges with program implementation at start-up and over time. Recommendations to address these challenges included increased training content related to adjusting exercises to accommodate participant abilities, 1-2 visits from a healthcare professional each program after initial program implementation, suggestions to increase exercise variety, and ongoing education.Conclusions: Findings clarify the role of healthcare organizations, ongoing challenges, and directions for improvement in this program delivery model.Implications for rehabilitationCommunity recreation centres can provide task-oriented exercise programs to help people with balance and mobility limitations safely engage in regular exerciseHealthcare organizations should provide specific supports to help increase the safety and quality of task-oriented exercise programs in recreation centresSupports include providing clear exercise guidelines, and a healthcare professional who trains fitness instructors, visits the program, answers questions between visits, promotes collaboration and information exchange between recreation centres, and provides ongoing education.

"It Just Is What It Is": The Positive and Negative Effects of Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of women diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome enrolled in postsecondary education. METHODS: Nine women aged 18 to 26 years participated in this study. Data collection consisted of an informed consent form, a background questionnaire, and a semistructured one-on-one interview. This interview explored the lived experiences of these individuals regarding perceived positive and negative effects of living with these conditions. RESULTS: Salient themes that emerged from the data were (1) "It can add to my life," (2) "Why me?: My condition runs my life," and (3) "I'm doing the best I can with what I have." Themes 1 and 2, the themes addressed in this article, were subdivided into (1) change in perception of self, condition, and others and (2) healthy lifestyle and (1) unpredictability and inconsistencies of inflammatory bowel disease/irritable bowel syndrome, (2) lack of understanding, and (3) the inconvenience of inflammatory bowel disease/irritable bowel syndrome, respectively. All participants expressed both positive and negative effects of living with their conditions. CONCLUSION: Community health nurses should be aware of the positive and negative effects of living with these conditions to help build relationships and assist with condition management. Other implications are discussed.

"One Flare at a Time": Adaptive and Maladaptive Behaviors of Women Coping With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation is to study the lived experiences of female postsecondary students diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome. METHODS: Nine women between the ages of 18 and 26 years were recruited to participate in this study. Participants completed an informed consent form and background questionnaire before completing a semi-structured one-on-one interview. This interview explored the lived experiences of these individuals in relation to condition management. RESULTS: Three salient themes that emerged from the data included (1) it can add to my life; (2) why me: my condition runs my life; and (3) I'm doing the best I can with what I have. The salient theme of I'm doing the best I can with what I have, the theme addressed in this article, was subdivided into adaptive and maladaptive coping behaviors. Reasons for the use of these behaviors included to avoid triggers or flare-ups/harmful effects, to achieve instant relief/pleasure, to respond to environmental pressures, and to become accustomed to dealing with the everyday hassles of their conditions. CONCLUSION: Community health nurses may become part of the solution to help women with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome find more adaptive coping behaviors. Other implications are discussed.