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A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Enablers to Offering a Cancer-Specific Exercise Wellness Program Among Community-Based Health and Fitness Professionals

DeScenza, Victoria Rose
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563148763511191

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Kinesiology.
Community-based exercise programs are an integral aspect of systematic health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Access to community-based wellness programs have been shown to be valuable for enhancing the adoption and maintenance of physical activity (PA) and exercise among individuals with, or at risk for chronic disease. In this regard, cancer survivors consistently cite interest and perceived value in exercise and wellness programming and desire to engage in community-based wellness programs. Reports also reveal cancer survivors frequently experience both cancer and treatment-related barriers (fatigue, pain, other disease symptoms) and traditional barriers (lack of time, lack of access to facilities and/or appropriate fitness instructors, insufficient exercise/wellness knowledge, lack of motivation) as significant factors that impeded their interest and desire to resume regular physical activity and exercise participation. Although cancer patients and survivors perceived physical activity and exercise barriers have been consistently investigated, a comprehensive understanding of health and fitness professionals’ perceptions of the barriers and enablers to offering programming that can meet the needs of this population has yet to be systematically explored. Qualitatively evaluating health and fitness professionals’ perceptions of the barriers, enablers, benefits, and challenges of offering exercise programming for cancer survivors is critical to developing effective collaborations with key leaders and stakeholders necessary to successfully establish increased access to community-based exercise and wellness programming for cancer survivors. Objective: The primary objective of the proposed study is to investigate a more in-depth understanding of health and fitness professionals’ perceptions of barriers and enablers to offering exercise programs for cancer survivors as part of the wellness programming available at their fitness/community centers in the Columbus metro area. Methods: A mixed-method qualitative case study approach was used via a preliminary web-based survey and a follow-up semi-structured interview. A total of 82 community-based fitness or health specialist that held a position such as an instructor, manager, specialist or coordinator, at a community center, private gym, or commercial gym facility in the Columbus area were contacted about the web-based survey. A total of 7 subjects volunteered to participate in a follow-up semi-structured interview based on their consent to participate in the further interview as indicated on the initial survey. Results: 12 survey responses were completed online, 7 of 12 (58.3%) of the individuals completed the semi structured interviews. The mean duration of the interviews was 48 minutes. Content analysis revealed 3 domains with 11 underlying themes.  Program Barriers (1a) Education/Awareness; 2a) Physician Referral; 3a) Cost, and 4a) Care Along the Cancer Continuum).  Program Enablers (1b) Champion Advocacy, 2b) Sponsor/Funding, 3b) Personnel, and 4b) Propositional Solutions)  Program Perceptions (1c) Social Support, 2c) Gym Atmosphere, and 3c) Cancer Specific Modifications). Conclusion: Findings from the semi-structured interview yielded novel results that could have important implications for developing effective, more widely accessible exercise programs that could advance progress towards achieving a viable clinic to community model of as part of continuing supportive cancer care in the Columbus metro area. This represents an important first step in developing a clinic-to-community translation model of exercise-based supportive cancer and further research in this area will aid in providing a more comprehensive understanding of how best to achieve this critical advance in continuous cancer care.
Brian Focht (Advisor)
Sue Sutherland (Committee Member)
80 p.
Health; Kinesiology; Oncology
cancer wellness; health professional; fitness professional; perceptions; barriers; enablers; cancer exercise; exercise oncology; community programming

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • DeScenza, V. R. (2019). A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Enablers to Offering a Cancer-Specific Exercise Wellness Program Among Community-Based Health and Fitness Professionals [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563148763511191

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • DeScenza, Victoria. A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Enablers to Offering a Cancer-Specific Exercise Wellness Program Among Community-Based Health and Fitness Professionals . 2019. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563148763511191.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • DeScenza, Victoria. " A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Enablers to Offering a Cancer-Specific Exercise Wellness Program Among Community-Based Health and Fitness Professionals ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563148763511191

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.