Spanish hospital staff views on exercise in chronic disease care
In a focus group study, eight professionals at a Spanish public hospital described low patient activity and named limited resources, weak institutional support and unclear rules as barriers to promoting exercise. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Eight professionals at a Spanish public hospital took part in focus groups on exercise in chronic disease care. [1]
Participants named limited resources, lack of institutional support and weak regulatory frameworks as barriers. [1]
The authors conclude the findings support a shift toward preventive, long-term and multidisciplinary care. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Qualitative focus group study (abstract)
- Population / context
- Eight healthcare professionals and exercise specialists working in a public hospital in Spain.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 29, 2026
Eight Spanish hospital professionals on exercise in chronic care
The study asked healthcare professionals and exercise specialists about the role of physical activity and exercise in chronic disease care. Eight professionals working in a public hospital in Spain took part in focus groups. The authors say exercise is underused in hospital practice despite its recognised effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Participants described patients' physical activity levels as low and saw the growing number of chronic patients as a challenge for systems built around acute care.
Supporting source [1]
Barriers and suggestions named by the focus groups
As barriers to promoting exercise, participants named limited resources, a lack of institutional support and weak regulatory frameworks. They stressed the importance of raising awareness among patients and healthcare professionals, making programmes more visible and working with external institutions. They viewed integrating exercise professionals and developing hospital-based exercise programmes as important parts of a comprehensive approach to chronic disease management.
Supporting source [1]
Qualitative design with eight participants, abstract only
This was a qualitative focus group study; the data were examined with inductive thematic analysis. The findings come from the perspectives of eight professionals in one Spanish public hospital, so they describe views rather than measured patient outcomes. The authors conclude that the findings support a shift toward preventive, long-term and multidisciplinary care. Only the abstract was reviewed; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Qualitative focus groups with eight professionals in one Spanish public hospital; the study reports perspectives, not measured patient outcomes.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Barrera-Garcimartín A, Pérez-Calzado E, Marquina M, Refoyo I, López-Martín A. · europepmc.org · September 29, 2026