BackgroundPublic health improvement has long been an important focus for the United Kingdom Department of Health. The Allied Health Professions (AHP) Federation has 84,000 members, such a large number of AHP professionals should play a role in public health initiatives, but it is not clear if they or the AHP students who will be the future healthcare workforce feel themselves equipped to do so. Our aim was to understand the perceptions of AHP students about their role in delivering public health advice.MethodsAHP students were recruited in one teaching university from different departments. Participants were final year AHP students who had completed all clinical placements related to their course. All students were emailed an invitation to participate, and those interested were asked to contact the researchers to participate in one of several focus groups. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using framework analysis by two independent researchers.ResultsNineteen students were recruited and participated in four focus groups. The main themes produced by the data analysis were: understanding of public health issues, perceptions of their role in this, challenges and opportunities to develop a public health role, and preparation for a public health role.ConclusionsAHP students felt that they had a role in public health advice-giving, but barriers to providing this advice included their own lack of confidence and knowledge, time, and the environment of the clinical placement. They considered that there should be more teaching on public health issues, and that these should feature in both the curriculum and on clinical placement.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12909-018-1224-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Therapeutic Radiographers' perceptions of the barriers and enablers to effective smoking cessation support. AbstractHighlights  Therapeutic Radiographers show desire for improvements within their practice  Therapeutic Radiographers fear upsetting the patient during smoking cessation advice  Therapeutic Radiographers worry about damaging the therapeutic relationship  There is a clear need for a Therapeutic Radiographer specific training package

Introduction: This study explored changes in therapeutic radiographers' (TRs) self-reported knowledge and skills to engage in conversations about physical activity and diet with people living with and beyond cancer following completion of publicly available online courses. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to two of five online courses that aim to support health professionals to engage in conversations about physical activity and diet in the oncology setting. Participants rated their agreement with 18 statements related to the COM-B (capability, opportunity and motivation-behaviour) model components following completion of an online course on healthy diet (n ¼ 16) and physical activity (n ¼ 21). Semi-structured telephone interviews (n ¼ 21) were also conducted. Analysis of the interviews was guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework. Results: Overall, the online courses were acceptable and the TRs in this study self-reported improved COM to deliver advice on physical activity and diet. The inclusion of the evidence and scientific rationale on the benefits of diet and physical activity, and also guidance on how to start conversations with patients were highlighted as important features of the courses. Suggestions for adaptations to the nutrition courses included the need for content that accounts for the side effects cancer patients experience while undergoing treatment. To support the implementation of training and the delivery of advice on these topics, multi-disciplinary working, organisational support and guidance around professional role boundaries were highlighted as important. Conclusion: Current publicly available online courses on physical activity and diet for oncology health professionals can reduce some barriers among TRs to providing advice to those living with and beyond cancer. Implications for practice: Existing online training courses could be used to support TRs to deliver physical activity and dietary advice in practice. Findings show that these courses can be disseminated within radiotherapy departments. The results also highlight a number of important considerations for the implementation of brief health behaviour advice and online training interventions on physical activity and diet within cancer care.

ObjectivesTherapeutic radiographers (TRs) are well placed to deliver health behaviour change advice to those living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). However, there is limited research on the opinions of TRs around delivering such advice to those LWBC. This study aimed to explore TRs’ practices and facilitators in delivering advice on physical activity, healthy eating, alcohol intake, smoking and weight management.Setting and participantsFifteen UK-based TRs took part in a telephone interview using a semi‐structured interview guide. Data was analysed using the framework analysis method.ResultsEmergent themes highlighted that TRs are mainly aware of the benefits of healthy behaviours in managing radiotherapy treatment related side effects, with advice provision lowest for healthy eating and physical activity. Participants identified themselves as well placed to deliver advice on improving behaviours to those LWBC, however reported a lack of knowledge as a limiting factor to doing so. The TRs reported training and knowledge as key facilitators to the delivery of advice, with a preference for online training.ConclusionsThere is a need for education resources, clear referral pathways and in particular training for TRs on delivering physical activity and healthy eating advice to those LWBC.

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