Table 4.
Themes Emerging from the AFEP + “10 Keys”™ Program Phase 2 Participant Feedback and Semi-Structured Instructor Interviews
| Level | Theme | Illustrative Quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Organizational (CAPH-PRC) | Educational delivery | “Give the exercise manual earlier and incorporate its use throughout the program to increase the likelihood of continued use.” “A few visuals or charts would be helpful to absorb different aspects of the program.” “Give us copies of exercises that we could do on the days that we don’t have your program.” |
| Community outreach | “Promote to persons who do not exercise, or those who exercise very little.” “The program should come to the Swissvale area and make it convenient to get to by bus.” “… everyone I told about the program wants to find one too—where is the information about what is available?” |
|
| Community (sites) | Site and equipment | “The elevator was broken the first 2 weeks.” “Have water in the room. It took me 7 weeks before I realized there was water in the other room…” “Other people were in the room, [there was] no door between the program and other space.” |
| Class environment | “Room temp varied—too much—either too hot or too cold on some days.” “Quieter music so we can hear the instructor. The choice of music was delightful—the kind we are familiar with but it is more important to hear the instructor….” “The gym was always too cold and there is an echo, it was difficult to hear sometimes.” |
|
| Individual | Instructor traits | “The instructor would be better if she slowed down. It’s hard to keep up with her.” “Instructions [should] be more direct; sometimes [they are] hard to follow.” “More emphasis on how/why movement helps.” “With two different instructors (Monday and Wednesday) maybe more communication between the two to know what they each covered.” |
| Participant traits | “Loss of hearing. Pain and health issues prevented many from coming regularly.” “Felt the participants were not regimented to attend class on time. They came in as they may.” “Some participants need a little one on one.” |
Abbreviation: AFEP, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program.