The Women’s Initiative for Sexual health, Education and Raising awareness of anal cancer (WISER)

What is the intervention? The WISER intervention includes a 60-page A5 information resource tailored to address the sexual health, sexual function and intimacy (SFI) information needs of women with anal cancer. The resource includes practical information about vaginal dilators, lubricants, and moisturisers, and shares real-life accounts of women’s experiences of anal cancer treatment. Who delivers it and their relevant expertise? The intervention will be delivered by healthcare professionals (HCP), which is anticipated to be primarily radiation oncology nurses. Each site will receive implementation training prior to recruitment. Recognising variability across care settings and professional roles, the WISER implementation training has been developed to support integration of the information booklet into existing clinical workflows, promote confidence among clinicians when introducing and revisiting the booklet, encourage consistent messaging while allowing flexibility in delivery, and reinforce safe practice, scope of practice boundaries, and referral pathways. HCPs who will be involved in the delivery of the WISER intervention will be asked to attend an in-person workshop lasting for a duration of up to 30 mins. Implementation training will be delivered by appropriately trained and qualified members of the Project Management Team prior to recruitment commencing (reflecting staggered recruitment across sites). All participating sites will have access to the implementation materials via an online education platform (Canvas) hosted by the University of Sydney. This platform will allow clinicians to revisit content and access materials as needed throughout the study period, which may be helpful when onboarding new site staff. How it is delivered? Face to face delivery, individually in the clinical setting. How often and for how long? The booklet will be provided on one occasion prior to patient participants starting radiotherapy treatment, and revisited at least once prior to the end of 6-8 weeks of treatment. The booklet will initially be provided in a routine appointment lasting up to 45 mins (but may vary depending on treatment location and schedule). It is expected that when the booklet is revisited, it will be at the time of a usual treatment or review appointment lasting approximately 30 mins. Where it is delivered? Clinically in the day therapy or radiation oncology unit (usual care). Adherence As this is a feasibility study, engagement with the booklet will be monitored by site staff (HCPs), and qualitative information will be collected from patient participants at follow up to determine how often they referred to the booklet during and after their treatment.