Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of oncologists and oncology health care providers in promoting physical activity to cancer survivors: an international survey

Abstract

Oncologists reported a modest ability to promote PA, low PA promotion rates, and limited knowledge of exercise prescription. Patient physical activity promotion may be improved through strategies that increase oncologists' PBC, confidence, and their own personal PA participation.

To rest or not to rest—Health care professionals' attitude toward recommending physical activity to their cancer patients

“…Poor knowledge and safety concern might reflect the rest‐paradigm. However, rest‐paradigm probably goes beyond, as in a recent study applying the TPB to exercise prescriptions among 123 oncologists, knowledge of physical activity guideline was not correlated with attitude toward physical activity ( r = 0.07) …”

“…Besides exercise specific information, it might be an aim to increase awareness of exercise preferences of cancer patients, and about (dis‐)advantages of different types of physical activity (e.g., home‐based versus group‐based) that HCP can match their recommendations to patients' needs. Learning techniques such as motivational interviewing might support HCP to explore and address preferences accordingly …”

“…[15][16][17] Recent studies have shown that most HCP still do not routinely recommend physical activity to their cancer patients. [18][19][20][21][22] In a qualitative study with HCP who treat cancer patients, many interviewees reported insecurities about what to recommend to their cancer patients. They worried about physical overexertion and psychological stress following a physical activity recommendation.…”

Exercise is medicine in oncology: Engaging clinicians to help patients move through cancer

“…[18][19][20] Despite this, studies suggest that 9% of nurses and from 19% to 23% of oncology physicians refer patients with cancer to exercise programming. 13,17,21,22 A recent survey of 971 oncology clinicians that was conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology indicated that 78.9% of respondents agreed that oncology clinicians should recommend physical activity to their patients. 23 Observed barriers to clinicians referring patients to exercise programming include lack of awareness of the potential value of exercise in cancer populations, uncertainty regarding the safety or suitability of exercise for a particular patient, lack of awareness regarding available programs to help facilitate exercise in cancer populations, need for education and skills development for making referrals, and a belief that referrals to exercise programming are not within the scope of practice for oncology clinicians.…”

“…23 Observed barriers to clinicians referring patients to exercise programming include lack of awareness of the potential value of exercise in cancer populations, uncertainty regarding the safety or suitability of exercise for a particular patient, lack of awareness regarding available programs to help facilitate exercise in cancer populations, need for education and skills development for making referrals, and a belief that referrals to exercise programming are not within the scope of practice for oncology clinicians. 21,22,[24][25][26] In summary, the scientific evidence base supports exercise, and patients and clinicians generally agree that patients should be moving throughout their cancer therapy and survivorship. Translating from the current state to exercise assessment, advice, referral, and engagement as standard practice for all people living with and beyond cancer is a multifactorial puzzle to be solved.…”