How to Improve Hospitalized Older Adults' Activity Leve: A Mixed Methods Study

Aims: The study aims to explore (1) the perspectives of health professionals on increased attendance of physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) in clearly defined work assignments in two in-hospital departments and (2) the per-spectives of geriatric patients on physical activity during hospitalization.
Methods: A mixed-methods study using a focus group inter-view and a questionnaire in assessing the impact of an inter-vention on increased attendance of PTs and OTs in clearly defined work assignments. The patients’ perspectives on phys-ical activity were explored in one-on-one interviews.
Results: The health professionals reported that the intervention led to a higher degree of patients’ mobilization, increased col-laboration, improved the health professionals’ competencies, and provided more time for monodisciplinary assignments. The six patients stated that encouragements promoted physical activity.
Conclusions: Increased attendance of PTs showed a positive impact on both the patients’ level of physical activity and the health professionals’ monodisciplinary assignments.