Introduction
Early access to Allied Health after cancer diagnosis and prior to or at the beginning of treatment positively influences patient experiences and outcomes. Intervention at an early stage in the cancer journey enables timely management of complex physical and emotional issues and can decrease the likelihood of crisis for patients and families at a later stage of their journey (1, 2).
Method
This study describes the outcomes of a review of an existing multidisciplinary service to inform a multidisciplinary prehabilitation service at the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) for people with newly diagnosed cancer. BRICC, part of Ballarat Health Services, participated in a multicentre study looking at an early multidisciplinary Allied Health intervention using a prehabilitation model (2). Feedback from consumers/patients on current practice was sought and this information informed the development of the new prehabilition service.
Major Finding
The existing multidisciplinary program delivered by a Dietitian, Physiotherapist and Exercise Physiologist focused on weight management by targeting diet, behaviour modification and physical activity.. The positive feedback received from the patients who participated in the multicentre study soon after diagnosis, and from the existing group weight management participants who identified group education and social support as positive aspects of the existing multidisciplinary program, provided incentive to advocate and continue with this prehabilitation style of education.
The multidisciplinary program now focuses on optimising wellness through supporting people with nutrition, emotional wellbeing and physical exercise and promoting strategies to manage symptoms, treatment side effects, self-advocacy, and timely access to services as early as possible from the time of diagnosis in a supportive environment. No changes were made to which Allied Health disciplines were involved in program delivery.
Concluding Statement
The multidisciplinary prehabilitation service continues to evolve in response to people’s experiences with allied health service provision and what the patients and their families value post cancer diagnosis.
1. Cancer Prehabilitation: An Opportunity to Decrease Treatment-Related Morbidity, Increase Cancer Treatment Options, and Improve Physical and Psychological Health Outcomes
Silver, Julie K. MD; Baima, Jennifer MD American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: August 2013 - Volume 92 - Issue 8 - p 715–727
2. Optimising the Capability of the Allied Health Workforce within Cancer Prehabilitation: A Feasibility Study Final Report.Professor Lynette Joubert, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne. Dr Lucio Naccarella, PhD, Centre for Health Policy. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne. December 2017