Exercise and Cancer Pilot: Prescriptive exercise outside of the healthcare setting
Exercise programs have shown to provide both physical and psychological benefits to cancer patients and provide a valuable role in supporting cancer patients to return to function and wellbeing. Lack of structured services, in Gippsland, have limited the patient’s ability to access these programs.
This pilot was a collaboration with acute care services, community health and local fitness facilities to provide an accessible and affordable exercise program for the local population in the Latrobe Valley.
Methods
A multidisciplinary working group of oncologists and exercise physiologists developed an appropriate and sustainable pathway to an exercise program for patients with cancer. A simple referral form was developed which was easily accessible, enabling participants to self-refer as well as allowing clinical referral.
Exercise Physiologists in Gippsland were provided with support to upskill by attending a course in the delivery of a cancer specific accredited exercise program.
The program was delivered by Exercise Physiologists from Latrobe Community Health Service, with the support of Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) and Morwell Leisure Centre (MLC) fitness professionals and was deemed to be of major benefit to cancer patients in the Latrobe Valley.
Results
Altogether, 8 local exercise physiologists were trained and 70 patients participated in the program, 3 declined. There were group sessions that included between 4 and 19 patients and following the program 8 patients continued to use the leisure centre for on-going activity. Feedback from the exercise group has been overwhelmingly positive.
Participants were able to access the leisure centre facilities with confidence as they already knew the fitness team, aiding in sustainability of exercise.
Conclusions
Collaboration between healthcare services and leisure centres is necessary to ensure sustainable exercise programs for oncology patients, outside of the healthcare service. Participants value the support of health professionals in a facility other than a healthcare service.