Exploring brief exercise counselling and an exercise referral pathway implemented by the cancer care workforce

This study is designed as a feasibility trial to explore the implementation of a pragmatic physical activity (PA) communication and referral pathway approach utilised by cancer care clinicians-CCC (i.e., oncologists, oncology nurses) with their cancer patients. Qualitative research methods (e.g. semi-structured interviews) will be utilised to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this approach. Firstly, during appointments with participating patients (i.e., those who have provided informed consent), CCCs will undertake a 1-2 minute face-to-face conversation about PA/exercise and the important role it plays as part of the patient’s cancer treatment. During this brief time period, the CCC will also provide participants with information about, and contact details of, an exercise physiologist (EP) and indicate that the EP would contact the patient directly by phone to further discuss PA/exercise options and the formal referral process (i.e., GP referral needed to access Medicare rebate). Given the pragmatic nature of this trial and the variability of patients (i.e., cancer type, stage, treatment, etc.) the information provided by the CCCs during the brief 1-2 minute conversation will vary, however the themes surrounding this conversation will focus on the health benefits of PA/exercise specific to that patient and the cancer they are living with, and the impact that PA/exercise may have on side effects and long term survivorship. For the purposes of the current study, the PA communication and referral pathway approach is complete once the EP contacts the patient to discuss exercise options and the formal referral process (i.e., testing and data collection of the approach will only include all communication up to this point), however as part of usual care, patients may choose to extend discussions or book an appointment with the EP, however no data will be collected regarding this. The EP will take note of the number of patients they call, the number of those who engage in the discussion and the number of those who choose not to engage in the discussion. They will also make note of anyone who may inquire about booking a future appointment with the EP. Participants (both CCCs and patients) will be invited to participate in a voluntary, semi-structured telephone interview concerning the feasibility and acceptability of the PA communication and referral pathway approach. The duration of the interview will be approximately 30-40 minutes and it will be conducted by a research assistant trained in qualitative research methods.