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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0BMJ Open

General practitioners’ capability, opportunity and motivation to discuss physical activity at the 6-8 week postnatal check in the UK: a qualitative study using the COM-B model

  • Joseph Morwood1
  • Peter C Rouse1
  • Marlize De Vivo2
  1. 1University of Bath, Bath, UK
  2. 2Advanced Wellbeing and Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
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Abstract

Objectives To explore general practitioners’ (GPs) perceived capability, opportunity and motivation to discuss physical activity during the 6-8 week postnatal check, using the COM-B model of behaviour change as conceptual framework.Design Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, with data analysed thematically using the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) model as the conceptual framework.Setting UK National Health Service (NHS) general practice.Participants Seven practising NHS GPs who had conducted at least one 6-8 week postnatal check within the preceding 12 months.Results Seven themes were derived from the interviews conducted. Maternal history, GP pregnancy experience and access to information resources were those found relevant to GPs’ capability to discuss physical activity. Patients’ social background and GPs’ clinical priorities were identified as the main barriers to opportunity. The balance between GPs’ positive outlooks on physical activity and maternal readiness to assimilate advice was described in relation to motivation to discussion.Conclusions Although GPs are motivated to promote postnatal physical activity, structural and contextual constraints limit consistent delivery. Improving access to efficient, credible signposting resources may enhance capability and support sensitive integration of physical activity promotion within routine care.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{morwood2026general,
  title = {{General practitioners’ capability, opportunity and motivation to discuss physical activity at the 6-8 week postnatal check in the UK: a qualitative study using the COM-B model}},
  author = {Joseph Morwood and Peter C Rouse and Marlize De Vivo},
  journal = {BMJ Open},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122011},
  url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122011},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - General practitioners’ capability, opportunity and motivation to discuss physical activity at the 6-8 week postnatal check in the UK: a qualitative study using the COM-B model
AU  - Joseph Morwood
AU  - Peter C Rouse
AU  - Marlize De Vivo
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/23
JO  - BMJ Open
DO  - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122011
UR  - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122011
AB  - Objectives To explore general practitioners’ (GPs) perceived capability, opportunity and motivation to discuss physical activity during the 6-8 week postnatal check, using the COM-B model of behaviour change as conceptual framework.Design Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, with data analysed thematically using the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) model as the conceptual framework.Setting UK National Health Service (NHS) general practice.Participants Seven practising NHS GPs who had conducted at least one 6-8 week postnatal check within the preceding 12 months.Results Seven themes were derived from the interviews conducted. Maternal history, GP pregnancy experience and access to information resources were those found relevant to GPs’ capability to discuss physical activity. Patients’ social background and GPs’ clinical priorities were identified as the main barriers to opportunity. The balance between GPs’ positive outlooks on physical activity and maternal readiness to assimilate advice was described in relation to motivation to discussion.Conclusions Although GPs are motivated to promote postnatal physical activity, structural and contextual constraints limit consistent delivery. Improving access to efficient, credible signposting resources may enhance capability and support sensitive integration of physical activity promotion within routine care.
SN  - 2044-6055
SN  - 2044-6055
ER  -