Improving cancer survivorship care: lessons learned from an implementation process in a clinical setting

This project aimed to improve survivorship care in oncology by identifying existing needs, raising awareness, developing and implementing practical tools in clinical settings. This paper presents key reflections and lessons learned throughout the process.

A participatory approach involving healthcare providers was chosen to ensure relevance and applicability. Researchers adopted a coaching leadership style to support collaboration. Main data collection methods included feedback cycles and interviews with healthcare professionals.

Several interventions were developed and implemented, including a survivorship care passport, a holistic needs assessment, a patient booklet, training for professionals, a website and a survivorship care consultation. The extent to which these tools were adopted varied across teams, often influenced by practical barriers such as time constraints and logistical challenges. Their success largely depended on their practical use in clinical settings.

While barriers remained at project's end, some tools showed strong potential for sustained use. A key factor in this was fostering ownership among healthcare providers through consistent engagement and a balance between structure and autonomy. This highlights the importance of a coaching leadership style in improving survivorship care.