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Implementing physical activity programs for patients with cancer in current practice: patients' experienced barriers
Charlotte IJsbrandy1,2,3, Rosella P M G Hermens4, Laura W M Boerboom4
1Radboud Institute for Health Science (RIHS), Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (IQ healthcare), Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Charlotte.IJsbrandy@radboudumc.nl.
Journal of Cancer Survivorship : Research and Practice
|July 27, 2019
Summary
Barriers hinder physical activity programs for cancer patients, especially concerning organization and tailored needs. Addressing these challenges can improve program implementation and survivors' quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical activity is crucial for cancer patients' recovery and well-being.
- Implementing effective physical activity programs faces numerous challenges.
- Understanding patient and system-level barriers is key to successful program integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify experienced barriers and facilitators in physical activity program implementation for cancer patients.
- To explore these factors across six key domains: programs, patients, healthcare professionals, social setting, organization, and law/governance.
Main Methods:
- Focus group interviews were conducted with 34 cancer patients undergoing or recently completing curative treatment.
- Data collection spanned three different hospital types.
- Barriers and facilitators were systematically analyzed within predefined domains.
Main Results:
- Twelve barriers and one facilitator were identified across the domains.
- Organizational factors, including inconvenient scheduling, inadequate capacity, and poor communication, were major barriers.
- Patient-related barriers included a lack of personal responsibility, while healthcare professional commitment and program tailoring also posed challenges.
- Peer contact emerged as a facilitator within the physical activity program domain.
Conclusions:
- Implementation of physical activity programs for cancer patients is influenced by multifaceted factors across various domains.
- Organizational issues present the most significant implementation hurdles.
- Targeted strategies addressing identified barriers are essential for enhancing program adoption and improving cancer survivors' quality of life.