Engage: community – a student led, telehealth exercise physiology service delivery model to combat social isolation in older adults

BACKGROUND AND AIMS EngAGE: Community is a student-led Exercise Physiology service delivery model that provides accessible, enjoyable and socially engaged exercise programs for older adults to combat loneliness. We aimed to assess the impact of EngAGE: Community on social, psychological, and quality of life outcomes in community-dwelling older adults, and student development. METHODS EngAGE: Community was a 15-week telehealth group-exercise program that recruited community-dwelling older adults and student Exercise Physiology practitioners. Classes were supervised by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Each EngAGE session consisted of exercise, educational and community-developing activities. Participant survey outcomes for social and psychological health, and quality of life were collected online before and following the program. Student development outcomes were also collected online before and following the program. RESULTS Across four programs, 73 community participants and 15 student participants were recruited, providing 1042 community engagement hours and 900 student development hours. Of these, 45 community participants completed sufficient attendance for data inclusion, and 14 student datasets were included. Community participants reported significant improvements in social [UCLA Loneliness Scale (p=0.001), Social Anxiety and Phobias Scale (p=0.007)] and psychological health [Kessler-10 (p=0.03)], as well as quality of life [SF-12 (p=0.02) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (p=0.05)]. A subset of the population demonstrated significant improvements in lower (p<0.001) and upper body strength (p=0.003). Student practitioners reported significant improvements in Work Self-Efficacy (p=0.002), Confidence in Skills (p=0.02) and Work Readiness (p=0.03). Community participants (n=48) provided an 81-98% agree/strongly agree response to qualifying statements suggesting the program was enjoyable, educational, social, and beneficial for their wellbeing. The cost per practitioner contact minute for all EngAGE: Community rotations was calculated as $1.92 compared to $4.21 for usual care (45% saving). CONCLUSION EngAGE: Community is a viable and cost-effective telehealth strategy to improve older Australians social and psychological health while developing Exercise Physiology student practitioners.