PARC Conference 2007PARC Conference 2007…Building Momentum…Building Momentum

Stepping Out

On the Bruce Trail

Presenters

Betty Perkins, R.N. B.Sc.N

Karen Croker, Reg. N. M Ed.

Grey Bruce Health Unit

Design TeamDesign Team

• Betty Perkins, Public Health Nurse

• Kerry Withrow, Programmer

• Karen Croker, Public Health Nurse

• Mary Solomon, Ontario Stroke System

• Teresa Zohorsky, Social Marketer

• Bruce Trail Association & Stephen Arscott

• Joy Black, New Paradigm Communications

ObjectivesObjectives

By the end of this session you will learn about:• Stepping Out On the Bruce Trail program

Pilot phaseImplementation phaseEvaluation phase

• How the software program works• Partnership involvement• Successes and lessons learned

Program Rationale Program Rationale

Urgent need for action…. In Grey Bruce area:

• 54% are inactive

• Only 40% of residents are at a healthy weight

• 35% higher rate of hospitalizations due to falls

What is Stepping Out What is Stepping Out On the Bruce Trail?On the Bruce Trail?

• Part of a comprehensive plan for healthy living

• Software program

• Virtual walk using a pedometer

• View actual Bruce Trail scenery

• Record number of steps

• Track your route on map

Program RationaleProgram Rationale

• Pedometers are a motivation tool

• Pedometer lending in libraries already exists

• Worksite program

• Bruce Trail as an environmental support– 840 km

– More than half of trail in Grey Bruce

– Beauty

– Attainable goal

Development PhaseDevelopment Phase

• Software programmer

• Bruce Trail Association permissionPhotography

Niagara Escarpment map

• FundingGrey Bruce Partners in Health

Towards Evidence Informed Practice - TEIP

Pilot PhasePilot Phase

• Dental group – 51 participants

• Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board – 300 participants

• Bluewater District School Board – 1012 participants

Lessons from Pilot PhaseLessons from Pilot Phase

• PC with Windows XP needed and not all schools had program

• Software changes• Multiple vs single person data input• Overwhelming successful

– Fun, innovative approaches– Embraced participation– Timely for workplace wellness

Implementation Implementation

Target Group

• Adults 30- 50 years

• Workplaces

• Secondary focus on children– Ontario Early Years Centres

ImplementationImplementation

Marketing

• Media, unpaid and paid

• Collateral materials-posters, bookmarks, software and poster for challenge

Stepping Out on the Bruce TrailStepping Out on the Bruce Trail

ImplementationImplementation

Launch Week: January 22, 2007

• Workplaces

• Community

Stepping Out….Stepping Out….

Grey Bruce Rural Community Grey Bruce Rural Community Partnership in Resource Exchange Partnership in Resource Exchange

for Healthy Livingfor Healthy Living

• Public Health and Ontario Stroke System

• Libraries

• Healthcare Providers

• Ontario Early Years Centres

• Bruce Trail Association

• Parks and Recreation

Partnership DevelopmentPartnership Development

• Heart Health Project– Phase 1

– Pedometer Lending in Libraries

• Heart Health enhancement– Phase II

– Towards Evidence Informed Practice-TEIP

– Ontario Stroke System

Logic Model Logic Model … part of a larger piece… part of a larger piece

Resource

Exchange

Library Pedometer Project

Stepping out on the Bruce Trail Project

Health Information Prescription Project

Evaluation and Outcomes Evaluation and Outcomes

Evaluation ToolsEvaluation Tools

• Questionnaire to librarians

• Survey for users

• Partnership collaboration assessment

OutcomesOutcomes

• Use of motivational tools

• Awareness of physical activity behaviour

• Partnership cohesiveness

• Health of Grey Bruce residents

Lessons Learned Lessons Learned

• Funding is critical

• A project always requires more time than anticipated

• Collaboration broadens the perspective

• Importance of evidence based research

• Need for analysis of data- survey monkey

SuccessesSuccesses

• Participants awareness of the change in physical activity during the week and on weekends

• Staff of schools as role models for students

• Engagement of partners early in the process

• Impressive participation rates in workplaces

Questions?Questions?