Physical Activity Promotion, Beliefs, and Barriers Among Australasian Oncology Nurses

Abstract

Although survival rates continue to improve for many cancers (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2016), cancer treatments (e.g., surgery, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy) can contribute to acute, late-term, and long-term side effects. These treatments may negatively alter patients' body composition and physical function, leading to increased risk of other orthopedic and cardiovascular conditions (

Cancer specialist nurses’ perspectives of physical activity promotion and the potential role of physical activity apps in cancer care

“…Therefore, improving nurses’ knowledge and understanding of the PA guidelines and ability to communicate them with patients is required. The CNSs were also concerned about the potential safety and risks to the patient with regard to PA promotion and similar concerns have been raised in other studies of oncology nurses [52, 53]. The nurses in this study described seeking approval from other HCPs (e.g.…”

“…improving coping with, and recovering from treatment, managing side effects, improving wellbeing and the potential to reduce future cancer risk and risk of other common comorbid conditions). The identification of these benefits as facilitators to discussions about PA among cancer patients has also been reported in previous surveys of oncology nurses working in the USA, Australia and New Zealand [52, 53]. Discussing these benefits with patients and providing education as to how PA can improve many of the side effects or challenges faced by patients was interpreted as a specific technique to encourage patients to increase PA. Other nurses mentioned how they had made a conscious change to their language or communication style during consultations regarding PA.…”

“…Nurses were recruited from a range of hospitals across England and Scotland providing insight into how PA promotion differs across hospitals and regions. Qualitative methodology provides a rich understanding of people’s experiences, thoughts and opinions, and provides greater depth to the findings of quantitative studies on the provision of lifestyle advice among cancer HCPs [47, 52, 53]. However, there were a number of limitations.…”

“…A survey of 274 oncology nurses in the USA found that 75% of nurses reported enquiring about PA and approximately two-thirds gave PA recommendations [52]. A study of 119 oncology nurses in Australia and New Zealand revealed that they perceived themselves to be the major providers of PA advice to their patients and promoted PA before, during and after treatment [53]. The nurses in these studies reported several perceived benefits of PA among their patients including improvements in quality of life, mental health, coping, ability to carry out activities of daily living and attenuating physical declines from treatment.…”

“…The nurses in these studies reported several perceived benefits of PA among their patients including improvements in quality of life, mental health, coping, ability to carry out activities of daily living and attenuating physical declines from treatment. However, barriers to PA promotion included lack of time, lack of adequate support structures, perceived lack of interest from patients, being unsure what to recommend and potential risks to the patients [52, 53].…”