Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model for program development for individuals with disabilities at an urban adaptive recreation center

The PRECEDE-PROCEED model was utilized by doctor of physical therapy students to implement a community health promotion program for individuals with disabilities (ID) at a large, urban adaptive recreation center (ARC). The model provided structure for assessing the ARC community's needs, and aided in designing, implementing, and evaluating a program to serve the ARC population's needs. During phase 1, voluntary information from various ARC stakeholders was gathered through focus groups, surveys, and interviews. In phase 2, relevant epidemiological factors were assessed via literature search. Predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors for behavior change identified in phase 3 were prioritized on importance and changeability, and program objectives were established. Phase 4 realized administrative and policy issues impacting the planned intervention, and program objectives were aligned within those parameters. Two needs were deemed most changeable: need for a comprehensive health assessment for IDs, and need for a community-oriented, group lifestyle change program for members attempting weight loss. Thus, the intervention (phase 5) was two-fold: create and pilot an assessment, form, and instruction manual and recommend a national, evidence-based group lifestyle change program. In phase 6, the pilot process evaluation (n=12) indicated that 10 of 12 assessments were appropriate for IDs with modification. Time constraints prohibited impact (phase 7) and outcome (phase 8) evaluations, though these are recommended at six-month and twelve-month post-implementation to assess long-term effect on quality of life for IDs. The outcome of this intervention demonstrates the utility of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model in program development for IDs at a community ARC.