Faro Jamie M, Mattocks Kristin M, Mourao Dalton, Nagawa Catherine S, Lemon Stephenie C, Wang Bo, Cutrona Sarah L, Sadasivam Rajani S
Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 0160, USA.
VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2021 Apr 17;21(1):358. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06365-9.
Physical activity rates in cancer survivors continue to be low despite the known benefits and availability of evidence-based programs. LIVESTRONG at the Y is a national community-based physical activity program offered cost-free to cancer survivors, though is underutilized. We explored perceptions and experiences of staff and participating survivors to better understand program awareness, referrals and participation.
LIVESTRONG at the Y program staff [directors (n = 16), instructors (n = 4)] and survivors (n = 8) from 8 United States YMCAs took part in 30-min semi-structured phone interviews between March-May 2019. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and evaluated using a thematic analysis approach.
Program staff themes included: 1) Program awareness should be further developed for both the general public and medical providers; 2) Strong relationships with medical providers increased program referrals; 3) Electronic referral systems between providers and LIVESTRONG would help to streamline the referral process; and 4) Bi-directional communication between program staff and medical providers is key to providing patient progress updates. Survivor themes included: 1) Survivors trust their medical team and the information they provide about physical activity; 2) Providers need to incorporate an action plan and referrals for survivors to be active once treatments are completed; and 3) Personal experiences of those who participated in LIVESTRONG resonate with survivors and increase participation.
LIVESTRONG staff reported the need for an integrated electronic referral system and bi-directional communication with providers about participant progress. Survivors want physical activity education, electronic referrals and follow-up from their healthcare team, coupled with peer support from other survivors. Cancer care provider knowledge and electronic referrals during and after treatment may expedite and increase participation in this community-based program.
尽管已知体育活动对癌症幸存者有益且有循证项目可供参与，但癌症幸存者的体育活动参与率仍然很低。“乐活在基督教青年会”（LIVESTRONG at the Y）是一项全国性的社区体育活动项目，向癌症幸存者免费提供，不过该项目的利用率不高。我们探讨了工作人员和参与项目的幸存者的看法与经历，以更好地了解项目的知晓度、转诊情况和参与度。
来自美国8个基督教青年会的“乐活在基督教青年会”项目工作人员[主任（n = 16）、指导员（n = 4）]和幸存者（n = 8）在2019年3月至5月期间参加了30分钟的半结构化电话访谈。访谈进行了数字录音、转录，并采用主题分析方法进行评估。
项目工作人员的主题包括：1）应进一步提高公众和医疗服务提供者对该项目的知晓度；2）与医疗服务提供者建立牢固关系可增加项目转诊；3）提供者与“乐活在基督教青年会”之间的电子转诊系统将有助于简化转诊流程；4）项目工作人员与医疗服务提供者之间的双向沟通是提供患者进展最新情况的关键。幸存者的主题包括：1）幸存者信任他们的医疗团队以及他们提供的有关体育活动的信息；2）提供者需要制定行动计划并为幸存者提供转诊，以便他们在治疗结束后能够积极参与体育活动；3）参与“乐活在基督教青年会”项目者的个人经历能引起幸存者的共鸣并提高参与度。
“乐活在基督教青年会”项目的工作人员表示需要一个综合电子转诊系统以及与提供者就参与者进展进行双向沟通。幸存者希望获得体育活动教育、电子转诊以及医疗团队的后续跟进，同时得到其他幸存者的同伴支持。癌症护理提供者在治疗期间和治疗后的知识及电子转诊可能会加快并增加对这个社区项目的参与度。
