Mapping of how the Swedish physical activity on prescription (PAP-S) is implemented and used shows that there are major differences between regions in Sweden.
When our partners in the EUPAP project conducted a Feasibility study, we in Sweden have taken the opportunity to map existing routines, knowledge support, financial incentives and the prescribing of PAP-S in different regions of Sweden. The regions are self-governed with regard to both how the health care and the communities are managed.
There are major differences both within and between the regions regarding how well the PAP-S method works and is used. Although, the PAP-S has spread widely throughout Sweden, it is not yet fully implemented in the country. PAP-S is most widespread in primary care, but prescribing of PAP-S is increasingly taking place in specialist care as well, and in some regions PAP-S is prescribed to children and youth. Experience from Sweden is that the implementation process is the most difficult phase and is very time consuming.
All of Sweden’s 21 regions prescribe PAP-S to patients, but there are big differences between the regions. There is great variation between the regions in how they work with education and knowledge support. Some regions have support structures for education and implementation and collaborate with local universities while other regions use the educational material produced by for example health promoting hospital and health care services. These health promoting hospital and health care services has established a national PAP-S-network with the aim to follow and participate in the development of PAP-S as well as disseminate to the members.
Several regions have cooperation agreements with regional sports organizations and provide them with financial support. There are different models for financial management of PAP-S. Some provide extra funds for prescribing, while others do not.
In Sweden we see the EUPAP project as an opportunity to promote and facilitate the work with the PAP-S method, as well as receiving new inputs from our EUPAP partners regarding implementation and monitoring of PAP-S.