Evaluating therapeutic radiographers' role in instigating prehabilitation and rehabilitation advice
Wang, Y Hutton, Daniel McNamara, J. Pennington, H. Appleyard, R.
Wang, Y
Hutton, Daniel
McNamara, J.
Pennington, H.
Appleyard, R.
Citations
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Abstract
Purpose or Objective
To investigate therapeutic radiographers’ (TR) perception of their role in delivering prehabilitation and rehabilitation
advice before and after completing an e-learning resource. This e-learning resource aims to provide knowledge and
professional skills to enable TRs’ incorporation of prehabilitation and rehabilitation into cancer pathways.
Materials and Methods
A questionnaire was developed to establish TRs’ baseline knowledge, confidence and barriers of instigating prehabilitation
and rehabilitation advice to people with cancer prior to undertaking the e-learning resource. Participants were asked to
complete two online training from PRosPer e-learning resources, a post-questionnaire was then undertaken to evaluate the
effectiveness of the online training course. Questions with multiple choice answer options were analysed using quantitative
methods. Open-ended questions with free-text comment boxes were analysed using thematic analysis, coding and theme
development was generated by the content of the comment. Results
In total, 62 TRs were recruited from three radiotherapy departments in the northwest of England. 36 TRs responded to the
pre-questionnaire (58% response rate) and 18 participants submitted the post questionnaire (response rate 29%) after
completing the e-learning resource. Findings showed the level of confidence to deliver prehabilitation and rehabilitation
advice was low, with less than 25% of participants having high confidence levels. Lack of knowledge, training, confidence,
time and concern about upsetting patients were identified as barriers. Surveys also identified 24% of participants have
considered prehabilitation and rehabilitation as part of a TR’s role. After the completion of the online course, TRs reported
their knowledge and skills in delivering prehabilitation and rehabilitation services have improved significantly by taking the
e-learning resource. With more than 90% of participants have increased their confidence in delivering prehabilitation and
rehabilitation advice and support. Post questionnaires showed 100% of participants have considered providing
prehabilitation and rehabilitation advice as part of a TR’s role.
Conclusion
There was a gap of knowledge and skills for TRs in providing prehabilitation and rehabilitation advice. The e-learning
resource has improved TRs’ knowledge and increased awareness of prehabilitation and rehabilitation. The e-learning
resource equipped TRs with the necessary tools to initiate a conversation about prehabilitation and rehabilitation and refer
patients to other cancer support. There are remaining challenges for TRs to incorporate a comprehensive prehabilitation
and rehabilitation service. It is also vital to eliminate barriers and support TRs in implementing the prehabilitation and
rehabilitation advice and will increase the number of cancer patients receiving support during their treatment pathways.
Description
Date
2022
Publisher
Collections
Keywords
Type
Meetings and Proceedings
Citation
Wang Y, Hutton D, McNamara J, Pennington H, Appleyard R. Evaluating therapeutic radiographers' role in instigating prehabilitation and rehabilitation advice. Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2022 May;170:S591-S. PubMed PMID: WOS:000806764200224.