What is PACC?
Physical Activity Clinical Champions (PACC) is an evidence-based physical activity education programme for health and care professionals. The programme aims to:
- Increase knowledge, skills, and confidence in discussing physical activity.
- Support better patient outcomes by embedding advice on physical activity into routine care and consultations.
Why PACC matters
People who are regularly engaging with Healthcare Professionals (those with, or at risk of, developing health conditions) are far more likely to be inactive. Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to promote physical activity, yet:
- 80% are unfamiliar with the national physical activity guidelines.
- Less than half feel confident discussing physical activity with patients.
- 55% had done no specific training on physical activity.
PACC addresses these gaps by empowering professionals with practical knowledge and tools to make a difference.
Our role
Through our previous work organising PACC training for staff at Cumbria, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, we identified that working health professionals face barriers to accessing CPD training due to capacity and time issues.
To address this, we partnered with Newcastle University to deliver in-person training to Medicine, Nutrition, and Pharmacy students, preparing them for the future workforce.
The impact
Our latest training session delivered to 300 students at Newcastle University yielded remarkable results:
99% of respondents feel more confident promoting physical activity to patients.
98% of respondents better understand how their messaging can result in patients becoming more physically active.
95% of respondents felt that the training had increased their knowledge and understanding of the benefits that being physically active can have for patient outcomes.
92% of respondents agreed that promoting physical activity will be more of a priority for them.
92% of respondents felt that the training will help them undertake their future health role more effectively.
Shadowing opportunities
To further reinforce the PACC training, we invite students to shadow community-based sessions including:
- Every Move Matters: Helping participants aged 55+ maintain independence through tailored physical activity.
- Weight Management: Offering practical advice on diet and physical activity.
- ESCAPE Pain: Supporting people with chronic joint pain through education and exercise.
The shadowing opportunities have resulted in incredible feedback from students:
100% of respondents agreed that attending the shadowing session had been an engaging experience for them.
92% of respondents agreed that the shadowing session complimented what they’d learnt during the PACC training session.
92% of respondents agreed that having attended both the PACC training and a shadowing session, that their confidence to prescribe physical activity to patients in future had increased.
Talking to individuals really helps to understand the value they see in the physical activity and how it’s impacted their life. I was able to see how the activity leader encouraged people to take what they had learned and continue at home by congratulating and recognising progress
Student
We’re working to expand our PACC training and shadowing opportunities to other universities and healthcare settings, ensuring greater access to these impactful programmes.
To learn more about PACC, please visit the Moving Medicine Website.
Contact
For more information on PACC training, contact Michael Ali, Strategic Lead for Health Integration.
