Outcomes of interprofessional oncology rehabilitation seminars in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Individuals living with cancer require oncology rehabilitation (OncR) to address functional and emotional impairments contributing to reduced quality of life (QOL) limitations.
Aim: Oncology rehabilitation education, required to advance a healthcare workforce to superintend the cancer treatment adverse effects, therefore improving QOL, was explored in South Africa.
Setting: Underserved rural and urban hospitals in three provinces received OncR education seminars focused on identifying and mitigating adverse effects of cancer treatment and palliative care.
Methods: Participants completed a retrospective survey including demographic data, experience with OncR, and seminar experience.
Results: Health professionals (n = 81) from rural a urban hospitals engaged in the retrospective study. Participants (17%) stated that the most helpful feature of this seminar was the appreciation and importance of an interprofessional team in cancer care. Fifty-nine per cent identified the least helpful feature as time constraints in clinical practice. Post seminar, 23% enhanced their rating of knowledge, although, 26% did not feel confident designing an exercise prescription for cancer survivors. Seventy-eight per cent were confident in identifying impairments and functional limitations resulting from cancer treatments; 88% and 68%, respectively, were able to identify one evidence-based measurement tool to assess pain and cancer-related fatigue.
Conclusion: The need for increased OncR education to equip the healthcare workforce, streamline connection to community oncologic services, and interprofessional presence is imperative to improve QOL for people diagnosed with cancer.
Contribution: The lack of education and funding, as well as resources and policy in rural areas in South Africa, requires distinctive strategies to enhance clinical knowledge and confidence in culturally relevant OncR assessment and intervention.