Exploring cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales: a qualitative understanding from perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals

Csontos, Judit ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4597-3052, Roche, Dominic and Watts, Tessa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1201-5192 2019. Exploring cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales: a qualitative understanding from perspectives of people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals. Presented at: Physiotherapy UK 2019, Birmingham, UK, 1-2 November 2019.

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Abstract

Purpose: Physical and psychological consequences can develop as a result of cancer and its treatment affecting people's quality of life. In Wales, people in deprived areas are also more likely to have comorbidity at cancer diagnosis which will require management. Cancer rehabilitation services, which can consist of physical exercise, psychological support and health education depending on people's needs, have been found to have positive effect on healthrelated quality of life and managing side effects and complex health problems worldwide. However, accessibility and lack of information on existing services can serve as barriers leaving people with unmet rehabilitation needs. In Wales, 41% of people, who have had health and social care needs resulting from cancer, reported that they did not receive care, including physiotherapy when needed. The reason for this lack of support and the value of existing services in Wales have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the value, barri ers, and facilitators of two cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales from the perspective of healthcare professionals and people affected by cancer. Methods: Audio recorded, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of healthcare professionals (n=20), including physiotherapists, and people affected by cancer (n=15) at two specialist cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales. Questions were asked about the value, meaning, barriers and facilitators of cancer rehabilitation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis based on the method of Braun and Clarke (2006) was used on the anonymised transcripts. Results: People affected by cancer valued the expert knowledge, c are and attention from trained healthcare professionals. Exercise classes were highly regarded among people affected by cancer due to the positive changes they experienced in their physical strength and mental health. Peer support and sharing experiences with other people were also an important factor in rehabilitation. However, both people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals reported system related and personal barriers. Accessibility and understaffing were problems that both participant groups suffered from. Lack of information on available services and personal problems were reported by people affected by cancer, while healthcare professionals mentioned underfunding and cultural problems as barriers specific to them. There was also a lack of consensus among participants on the meaning of rehabilitation, which may also be the cause of some of the barriers. Conclus ion(s): The findings of this study indicate that cancer rehabilitation is highly valued by people affected by cancer. However, these services are not always available for everyone, due to barriers related to the healthcare system and people's own personal problems. Service promotion and education of both people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals can help in overcoming some of the barriers. Implications: Identifying barriers is the f irst step in overcoming them to provide high-quality care for everyone in need. Feedback will be given on the findings to the two specialist cancer rehabilitation services on the value and barriers to care provision. Findings will also be disseminated UK-wide and internationally to inform good practice and help using cancer rehabilitation services to their full potential. Key-Wor ds: Cancer rehabilitation, Qualitative research, Managing needs Funding acknowledgements: The project, which findings I would like to present was funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, Swansea University (No RS16/1700X) and the John and Alice Edwards Studentship Fund at Cardiff University.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Last Modified:	23 Feb 2024 03:44
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/126541

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