Author Identifier
Jack Dalla Via: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1815-0838
Carolyn J. Peddle-McIntyre: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9913-4022
Yvonne Zissiadis: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8854-4437
Nigel Spry: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8659-5065
Robert U. Newton: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0302-6129
Mary A. Kennedy: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1411-539X
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Supportive Care in Cancer
Volume
33
Issue
7
PubMed ID
40515951
Publisher
Springer
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences / Exercise Medicine Research Institute
Abstract
Purpose: The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) position statement on exercise in cancer care encourages all healthcare professionals to discuss, recommend, and refer people with cancer to exercise; however, use of these recommendations in practice is unknown. Methods: Oncology healthcare professionals working in Australia were invited to complete a cross-sectional online survey that assessed contextual factors that influence implementation of COSA exercise guidance in cancer care, based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Results: We received 133 survey responses. Most were women (74%), nurses (35%), or oncologists (26%), involved in cancer care for > 10 years (63%), and in a public hospital setting (69%). Most participants agreed that exercise is beneficial (94%) and the COSA recommendations would positively influence patients’ exercise behaviours (94%). However, only 35% routinely apply COSA recommendations in practice, and only 35% believe they are the best person to provide exercise support. Patient-level barriers included needing additional support to access exercise (92%), most commonly financial (74%). Organisational-level barriers included a lack of dedicated resources to support delivering exercise guidance (69%), and not believing providing exercise guidance is an important part of their role (51%). Only 24% agreed their organisation revised practice based on the COSA recommendations. Conclusion: Despite most oncology healthcare professionals agreeing that exercise is beneficial, and that the COSA recommendations are important for patients, only a minority actually apply the recommendations in their practice. Targeted implementation efforts are needed to facilitate use of COSA exercise guidance in clinical practice.
DOI
10.1007/s00520-025-09633-0
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Via, J. D., Cehic, F., Peddle-McIntyre, C. J., Andrew, C. R., Mizrahi, D., Zissiadis, Y., Spry, N. A., Newton, R. U., & Kennedy, M. A. (2025). Translating advocacy into action: Exploring oncology healthcare professionals’ awareness and use of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia position statement on exercise in cancer care. Supportive Care in Cancer, 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09633-0