RESUMEN
Abstract Objective: This survey was designed to assess the profile of professionals working in intradialytic exercise programs (IEPs) in Brazil and reveal the motivators and barriers they face. Methods: The survey was sent to physiotherapists and exercise physiologists working in IEPs in Brazil. Phone interviews and electronic forms were used to collect the answers to the survey questionnaire. Results: Forty-one of the 261 included dialysis centers had IEPs; 44 professionals answered the questionnaire over the phone and 26 used the electronic form to do it. A total of 70 professionals (mean age 33.4±7.4 years; 84.3% physiotherapists) answered the questionnaire. Resistance training was the preferred mode of therapy. Most of the IEPs were connected to research and were paid for by private health insurance. The desire to work in a different field (30.0%) and lack of resources (31.4%) were the most prevalent motivator and barrier cited by IEP professionals working in dialysis centers, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of the few professionals that work in IEPs in Brazil are physiotherapists. Lack of resources was the most commonly reported barrier faced by survey respondents.
Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil dos profissionais que atuam em programas de exercício físico intradialítico (EFI) no Brasil e as motivações e barreiras para a atuação desses profissionais. Métodos: Foram incluídos fisioterapeutas e profissionais de educação física que atuam em programas de EFI no Brasil. Para coletar os dados, foi aplicado um questionário por ligação telefônica ou formulário eletrônico. Resultados: Dos 261 centros de diálise analisados, 41 apresentaram programas de EFI, sendo que 44 profissionais responderam ao questionário por telefone e outros 26, por meio eletrônico. Foram avaliados 70 profissionais (33,4±7,4 anos, 84,3% fisioterapeutas). A modalidade terapêutica mais aplicada foi o treinamento resistido. A maioria dos programas de EFI está associada a atividades de pesquisa e é financiada pela saúde suplementar. A possibilidade de atuação em um novo campo de trabalho (30,0%) e a falta de recursos (31,4%) foram a motivação e a barreira mais prevalentes para atuação dos profissionais nos centros de diálise, respectivamente. Conclusão: Poucos profissionais atuam em programas de EFI no Brasil, sendo a maioria fisioterapeutas. A falta de recursos foi a barreira mais prevalente para a atuação desses profissionais.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This survey was designed to assess the profile of professionals working in intradialytic exercise programs (IEPs) in Brazil and reveal the motivators and barriers they face. METHODS: The survey was sent to physiotherapists and exercise physiologists working in IEPs in Brazil. Phone interviews and electronic forms were used to collect the answers to the survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-one of the 261 included dialysis centers had IEPs; 44 professionals answered the questionnaire over the phone and 26 used the electronic form to do it. A total of 70 professionals (mean age 33.4±7.4 years; 84.3% physiotherapists) answered the questionnaire. Resistance training was the preferred mode of therapy. Most of the IEPs were connected to research and were paid for by private health insurance. The desire to work in a different field (30.0%) and lack of resources (31.4%) were the most prevalent motivator and barrier cited by IEP professionals working in dialysis centers, respectively. CONCLUSION: The majority of the few professionals that work in IEPs in Brazil are physiotherapists. Lack of resources was the most commonly reported barrier faced by survey respondents.