Perspectives on healthcare providers’ role in health promotion among cancer survivors.

Abstract

e24037 Background: To further integrate health promotion into cancer survivorship care, we explored multilevel perspectives on potential roles healthcare providers could have in promoting uptake of web-based healthy lifestyle programs among cancer survivors. Methods: In developing the Aim, Plan, and Act on Lifestyles (AMPLIFY) Survivor Health diet and exercise web-based program, we conducted 10 focus groups with 57 cancer survivors and 27 individual semi-structured interviews with stakeholders representing advocacy groups (e.g., cancer survivorship support foundations; n = 8), cancer organizations (e.g., industry, health system; n = 11), and survivors’ supportive partners (n = 8). Verbatim transcripts were analyzed by multiple coders using inductive thematic analysis with NVivo 12. Results: Survivors (49% female; 40% African-American, mean age 63.7 years) and stakeholders (60% female) stated that healthcare provider and health system recommendation and support are vital for ensuring acceptance and use of web-based healthy lifestyle programs by cancer survivors. Survivors expressed that physician’s (e.g., oncologist, other physician) recommendation and support would motivate them to join and participate. Supportive partners also endorsed the importance of provider recommendations and the key role of health system support (e.g., reminders in doctor’s office, hospitals, web-based portal, and endorsement from cancer centers). Advocacy group representatives underscored the importance of data-driven support for the effects of such programs as critical for promotion. Moreover, technology supported continuous cancer care (e.g., physician communication and feedback) were seen as critical for sustained participation. Stakeholders from cancer organizations suggested survivors in need could be identified and referred during assessments in various cancer care clinics. This group also emphasized the need to integrate evidence-based healthy lifestyle recommendations into continuing medical education, medical board certifications, support and referrals into existing standard of cancer care, and to involve other key stakeholders and larger scale health systems in promotion. Conclusions: Healthcare providers and health systems have important roles in promoting and sustaining participation in web-based healthy lifestyle programs among cancer survivors. Further work developing, testing, and refining strategies to enhance their role in promoting the acceptability and uptake of healthy lifestyle programs by cancer survivors are needed.