Enhancing Physiotherapy in Palliative Oncology Care
Despite its well-known benefits, physiotherapy remains underutilized in palliative care for advanced cancer patients. The high prevalence of physical impairments related to cancer treatments is evident, as shown in the study by Cheville et al., where 90% of stage IV breast cancer patients reported significant physical impairments. However, fewer than one-third of patients utilize rehabilitation services (Cheville A, 2016). In Belgium, only 7% of patients who applied for a palliative allowance sought support from a physiotherapist (Beernaert K, 2019). Additionally, 83% of general practitioners reported rarely or never prescribing physiotherapy in palliative care (Vleeshouwers, 2020).
The PHYSIO-PAL project, funded by Kom op Tegen Kanker, aims to address this gap by integrating physiotherapy more effectively into palliative oncology care. The PHYSPECTIVE study, a qualitative sub-study, marks the beginning of this larger project. It explores the barriers and facilitators to physiotherapy integration by interviewing physiotherapists, physicians, and patients.
Goal: The study seeks to identify the challenges and opportunities for integrating physiotherapy into advanced cancer care and provide actionable recommendations to optimize its role within palliative care.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with 10 physiotherapists, 16 physicians, and 20 patients with advanced cancer. The data will be analyzed thematically to uncover key insights on barriers, facilitators, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Expected outcomes: The findings will offer valuable insights into the factors influencing physiotherapy integration and help inform strategies to improve its role in palliative oncology care, ultimately enhancing patients' quality of life.
Conclusion: The PHYSIO-PAL project, including its first qualitative substudy, PHYSPECTIVE, is the first step in a larger initiative aimed at improving physiotherapy integration in palliative cancer care. By identifying barriers and facilitators, it will contribute to better care for patients with advanced cancer.
More information: https://researchportal.vub.be/en/projects/de-physio-pal-studie-kinesitherapie-als-onderdeel-van-palliatieve
Funding: Emmanuel van der Schueren Starter Grant Kom op Tegen Kanker Luna Gauchez
RERE PI: Prof. Nele Adriaenssens