Educational Dilemma

Physical activity has many benefits for the overall health of cancer survivors, counteracting negative treatment-related side-effects and improving quality of life, survival, cancer recurrence and risk for secondary cancers1. However, cancer survivors physical activity levels are low, not allowing them to achieve these health benefits. Oncologists hold a unique position, as they are highly trusted members in a cancer survivors care team. This unique role has the potential to have more influence in changing the behaviour of cancer survivors and increasing their physical activity levels 2. However, oncologists and oncology healthcare providers (OHP) lack knowledge, competence and confidence discussing physical activity with cancer survivors 3,4. Thus, the educational dilemma is educating oncologists and OHP on physical activity for cancer survivors. The importance of this is to increase providers confidence and competence to have discussions about physical activity with cancer survivors.

References

  1. Patel, A. V., Friedenreich, C. M., Moore, S. C., Hayes, S. C., Silver, J. K., Campbell, K. L., … & Denlinger, C. (2019). American College of Sports Medicine roundtable report on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cancer prevention and control. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 51(11), 2391-2402.
  2. Jones, L. W., Courneya, K. S., Fairey, A. S., & Mackey, J. R. (2004). Effects of an oncologist’s recommendation to exercise on self-reported exercise behavior in newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 28(2), 105-113.
  3. Hardcastle, S. J., Kane, R., Chivers, P., Hince, D., Dean, A., Higgs, D., & Cohen, P. A. (2018). Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of oncologists and oncology health care providers in promoting physical activity to cancer survivors: an international survey. Supportive Care in Cancer, 26(11), 3711-3719.
  4. Nadler, M., Bainbridge, D., Tomasone, J., Cheifetz, O., Juergens, R. A., & Sussman, J. (2017). Oncology care provider perspectives on exercise promotion in people with cancer: an examination of knowledge, practices, barriers, and facilitators. Supportive Care in Cancer, 25(7), 2297-2304. doi: 10.1007/s00520-017-3640-9

6 thoughts on “Educational Dilemma”

  1. Hi Denise,

    I know I am not in your group, but I had to comment on your idea because I think it is great and very relevant to me! I am a family medicine resident that is currently rotating through some oncology clinics such as medical oncology, surgical oncology, and survivorship clinics. I think oncologists are generally pretty aware of the importance of physical activity, but not always remembering to recommend it – so by having this module, it would be a great way to fill the gap. I think the other issue is the knowledge of the specific resources or exercises that are beneficial for their patients so if a module like this can help facilitate that discussion, then I agree that would be great!

    Good luck!

    Elliot

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    1. Hi Elliot,

      Thanks for your feedback! It’s interesting to hear a real life experience of what I have been reading in the literature! I think generally knowledge that exercise is good is accepted; there’s strong evidence to show oncologists have positive attitudes towards exercise, for instance beliefs that it is beneficial and safe (Hardcastle et al., 2018). However, there is still a knowledge gap with them being unable to recite the specific guidelines and confidence to discuss this topic with patients (Fong et al., 2018; Nadler et al., 2017). Moreover, there are now updated American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines specific to cancer survivors just released a few months ago, which oncologists may not be aware about. The evidence has really been established and is extensive!

      References
      Fong, A. J., Faulkner, G., Jones, J. M., & Sabiston, C. M. (2018). A qualitative analysis of oncology clinicians’ perceptions and barriers for physical activity counseling in breast cancer survivors. Supportive Care in Cancer, 26, 3117-3126. doi: 10.1007/s00520-018-4163-8
      Hardcastle, S. J., Kane, R., Chivers, P., Hince, D., Dean, A., Higgs, D., & Cohen, P. A. (2018). Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of oncologists and oncology health care providers in promoting physical activity to cancer survivors: An international survey. Supportive Care in Cancer,26(11), 3711-3719. doi:10.1007/s00520-018-4230-1
      Nadler, M., Bainbridge, D., Tomasone, J., Cheifetz, O., Juergens, R. A., & Sussman, J. (2017). Oncology care provider perspectives on exercise promotion in people with cancer: an examination of knowledge, practices, barriers, and facilitators. Supportive Care in Cancer, 25(7), 2297-2304. doi: 10.1007/s00520-017-3640-9

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      1. Hey! I will check out these guidelines and try to implement them in my practice – thanks for sharing them with me. I am actually in a clinic with Dr. Michelle Nadler who I think is the first author of one these papers. Very cool to see some of the work she is doing. I will let her know and of course I will continue to encourage our patients to exercise!

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  2. Carolina's avatar Carolina

    Hi Denise, congratulation on your website.
    I am intrigued. I thought that I had left a comment here, but I cannot find it anymore.
    Did you receive it?
    Thanks.
    Carolina Gonzaga Carvalho

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