Evaluation of PACC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the impact of the Physical Activity Clinical Champions programme on patient physical activity and health related outcomes
IRAS ID
361887
Contact name
Florence Kinnafick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
The Physical Activity Clinical Champions (PACC) programme is a peer-to-peer training initiative aimed at enhancing healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) ability to promote physical activity during routine consultations. The long-term aim of PACC is to contribute to increasing population level physical activity, by increasing the proportion of HCPs integrating conversations about physical activity into routine clinical practice in England. PACC is part of wider attempts to embed physical activity into clinical care for the prevention and management of long-term conditions at a system level. While previous evaluations have focused on HCP behaviour, this study shifts attention to patient-level outcomes, using proxy measures to assess behavioural change.
The study will involve general practices (n=8) and secondary care clinics (n=2) in England, randomly assigned to either receive PACC training or continue with usual care. Physical activity referral sites and exercise clinics associated with these practices will also participate. Patients referred to these services will be invited to join the study (consenting to share their referral data) and a sub-sample will participate in interviews exploring their motivations and the influence of HCPs.
Primary outcomes include referral and attendance rates at physical activity services. Qualitative interviews will provide deeper insights into patient decision-making.
The study acknowledges limitations, including reliance on attendance as a proxy for behaviour change and variability in local referral schemes. However, its pragmatic design in real-world settings offers valuable insights into the feasibility and potential impact of PACC on both HCP and patient behaviour. Data will be analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, with findings informing future large-scale evaluations.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1595
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion