A DELPHI SURVEY TO ESTABLISH THE CORE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS WORKING IN THE UK

Author(s): CROZIER, A., OSIN, C., SADLER, I., GRAVES, L.E.F., RYCROFT, J., DAWSON, E., MILLER, G., NAYLOR, L., GREEN, D.J., ASKEW, C.D., JONES, H. , Institution: LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY, Country: UNITED KINGDOM, Abstract-ID: 1707

INTRODUCTION:
Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologists (CEPs) are recognised healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom (UK) and are registered through the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS). Their practice is guided by the Clinical Exercise Physiology UK (CEP-UK) standards outlined in their scope of practice and the accompanying curriculum framework. This study aimed to identify and reach consensus on the key knowledge and skills of a UK CEP to ensure that current standards and guidelines are fit for purpose in the UK.
METHODS:
Two phases, (i) a scoping review of Medline, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Key requirements were identified from analysis, the current CEP-UK scope of practice, curriculum framework, the AHCS standards of proficiency and good clinical practice. Based on evidence gathered in phase (i), a modified Delphi survey was administered as phase (ii), which contained CEP key knowledge and skills (n=58), health conditions that a CEP should be able to work with (n=15), and healthcare professions that a CEP should understand the roles and expertise of (n=9). Academics (n=26), healthcare professionals (n=25), CEPs (n=10), service managers (n=6), and researchers (n=4) were identified through purposive sampling, public advertisement through social media, and snowball sampling. A 1-to-5 rating Likert scale was completed by participants based on the importance of each component for a CEP to practice effectively in the UK. A consensus was reached based on >65% agreement for each component.
RESULTS:
Phase (i) identified 24 studies that contained relevant knowledge and skills data. During phase (ii) n=58 (82%) of participants completed the survey. All knowledge and skills identified from the scoping review, the CEP-UK scope of practice, curriculum framework and the AHCS standards of proficiency and good clinical practice (n=58) were accepted, with those in clinical practice (99%) deemed the most important. For CEP practice, 12 of the health conditions identified (80%) were accepted, with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (100%) identified as the most important and eating disorders (54%) the least important. All healthcare professions (n=9) were accepted, with specialist exercise instructors (100%) being the most important and podiatrists (73%) the least important.
CONCLUSION:
The final consensus list contains 58 key knowledge and skills, 12 health conditions and 9 healthcare professions that are important for CEPs to work effectively in UK healthcare. This study confirms that the current CEP-UK curriculum framework is fit for purpose with minimal changes required for the next iteration scheduled for 2025 based on consensus. Further research is required to understand how to best teach and assess these key knowledge and skills within academic institutions.