Abstract
PURPOSE: We evaluated healthcare providers' current knowledge, practices, and perspectives on a novel clinical decision tool (beta-version) to facilitate individualized exercise prescriptions and discussions in clinical settings. METHODS: We recruited healthcare providers who had treated or provided care to breast cancer survivors aged ≥ 35-years in the past 12 months. The participants were presented with a tool to provide individualized exercise recommendations considering women's individual, clinical, and contextual characteristics. Validated and reliable pre-existing instruments were used to survey providers' current knowledge, practices regarding exercise discussions, and perspectives on the beta-version (paper-draft) of the novel tool. RESULTS: The sample consisted of complete survey responses from 177 healthcare providers including breast oncologists (27.7%), primary care physicians (10.7%), exercise specialists (19.8%), occupational/physical therapists (18.1%), advanced care providers, nurses, navigators, and social workers (23.7%). Median years of experience was 8-years (range: 5-13). Overall, 62.1% (n = 110) reported that they were knowledgeable about counseling survivors based on exercise guidelines. Among breast oncologists and primary care physicians (n = 68), only 39.7% reported that they were knowledgeable about identifying patients for exercise referals. The majority agreed that they would find the tool offering individualized information useful (n = 148, 83.6%), and would use it regularly to inform practice (82.5%). 'Exercise Readiness', 'Exercise Resources at Home', and 'Quality-of-Life' were the highest rated items for inclusion in the tool for exercise prescriptions. Provider perspectives were incorporated into the beta-version of the tool. CONCLUSION: A clinical decision tool considering individual, clinical, and contextual characteristics may support exercise prescriptions and discussions in clinical settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: An evidence-based tool for exercise prescriptions may increase healthcare provider confidence to discuss, educate, encourage, and provide exercise referrals for breast cancer survivors.