Abstract
Purpose
Physical activity (PA) can improve health-related outcomes for head and neck cancer (HaNC) patients,and PA guidance from healthcare professionals’ can increase patients’ PA levels. However, less than9% of HaNC patients are physically active. This study explored healthcare
professionals’ promotion of PA across the National Health Service (NHS) in North West England and North Wales, to HaNC patients.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey exploring healthcare professionals promotion of PA in HaNC. The
International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form was used to estimate healthcare
professionals’ PA levels. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive or inferential statistics and qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Data were synthesised drawing on the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour model and Theoretical Domains Framework.
Results
Eighty-one professionals participated. Fifty-three percent self-reported high levels of PA. Seventy-five percent considered PA promotion as part of their role, however only 39% discussed PA with their patients (reflective motivation; social/professional role and identity). Only 38% felt confident initiating PA discussions and 76% reported needing further training. Training on the benefits of PA for HaNC patients and how to encourage health-related behaviour change were identified as beneficial (psychological capability; knowledge).
Conclusion
Healthcare professionals are influential in enabling patients to adopt health-related behaviour change; however, PA promotion was not routine practice for professionals involved in the care of HaNC patients. Training should be provided to professionals on PA promotion, with a focus on behaviour change techniques. Future research should explore how behaviour change techniques can be implemented into clinical practice to improve health-related outcomes in HaNC
Physical activity (PA) can improve health-related outcomes for head and neck cancer (HaNC) patients,and PA guidance from healthcare professionals’ can increase patients’ PA levels. However, less than9% of HaNC patients are physically active. This study explored healthcare
professionals’ promotion of PA across the National Health Service (NHS) in North West England and North Wales, to HaNC patients.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey exploring healthcare professionals promotion of PA in HaNC. The
International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form was used to estimate healthcare
professionals’ PA levels. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive or inferential statistics and qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Data were synthesised drawing on the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour model and Theoretical Domains Framework.
Results
Eighty-one professionals participated. Fifty-three percent self-reported high levels of PA. Seventy-five percent considered PA promotion as part of their role, however only 39% discussed PA with their patients (reflective motivation; social/professional role and identity). Only 38% felt confident initiating PA discussions and 76% reported needing further training. Training on the benefits of PA for HaNC patients and how to encourage health-related behaviour change were identified as beneficial (psychological capability; knowledge).
Conclusion
Healthcare professionals are influential in enabling patients to adopt health-related behaviour change; however, PA promotion was not routine practice for professionals involved in the care of HaNC patients. Training should be provided to professionals on PA promotion, with a focus on behaviour change techniques. Future research should explore how behaviour change techniques can be implemented into clinical practice to improve health-related outcomes in HaNC
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-15 |
| Journal | Supportive Care in Cancer |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 848 |
| Early online date | 3 Dec 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Dec 2024 |
Keywords
- Barrier
- Behaviour change
- Cancer
- Exercise
- Facilitator
- Guideline
