The Use of Physiotherapy Navigators in Acute Cancer Care Settings: A Scoping Review

The objective of this review was to explore and map the use of physiotherapist (PT) navigator roles, their settings, decision-making processes, interventions delivered, barriers, and facilitators in acute cancer care settings.

Five databases and gray literature sources were searched to July 4, 2024.

To be included in this review, studies must have included adults ≥18 years old living with cancer, used a navigation role or model of care led by a physiotherapist, and occurred in an acute cancer care setting (ie, a setting administering cancer treatments to individuals with a current diagnosis of cancer).

Two independent reviewers completed all screening and data extraction.

Data were summarized narratively, and descriptive statistics were provided where applicable. Thirteen references were included; 6 perspective papers, 5 research articles, and 2 presentations. The characteristics of PT navigator roles varied but mainly included triaging through assessment (n=13; 100%), exercise planning and prescription (n=9; 69.2%), referral to appropriate services (n=7; 53.8%), barrier identification (n=5; 38.5%), providing education (n=4; 30.8%), and goal setting (n=2; 15.4%). Most PT navigators (n=10; 76.9%) interacted with patients within the first month of treatment and followed up at various timepoints (eg, weekly, monthly, as needed). A range of facilitators (eg, onsite services, support from the medical team, no patient cost to interact with the PT navigator) and barriers (eg, lack of health system funding, lack of medical team knowledge of rehabilitation, and additional patient costs) to the PT navigator role were identified.

This review summarized and mapped the current evidence regarding PT navigation in acute cancer care settings. Future research and clinical programs to enhance the design and implementation of such roles are recommended.