Evidence, education and multi-disciplinary integration are needed to embed exercise into lung cancer clinical care: A qualitative study involving physiotherapists

Abstract

Aims: To explore physiotherapists perceptions regarding barriers and enablers to embedding exercise into routine lung cancer clinical care. Design: Qualitative study (content analysis). Eight physiotherapists working in the area of lung cancer at five hospitals participated. The focus group was conducted, transcribed verbatim and independently crosschecked. Thematic analysis was utilized. Results: The data generated four major themes: evidence justifying exercise; staffing and services; maximising the efficacy of interventions; and hospital culture. Physiotherapists perceived that barriers included lack of evidence, lack of physiotherapy time and funding, inconsistencies in patient access to..