Patients’ experiences with a blended intervention for improving physical activity and protein intake following oncological surgery: a multi methods study

Emily van der Werf, Marijke de Leeuwerk, Marike van der Schaaf, Edwin Geleijn, Marike van der Leeden, Charlotte van Westerhuis, Hinke Kruizenga, Vincent de Groot
Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ experiences with this blended intervention.

Methods:

A multi methods approach was used to conduct this study, which included semi-structured interviews and an online survey. The online survey included the System Usability Scale (SUS) for the smartphone app. A total of 73 patients were invited for the online survey. Purposeful sampling was used for the interviews. Interviews were analysed qualitatively using an inductive thematic strategy.

Results:

Patients (N=58) rated the app as highly usable (SUS 86.2). A total of 97% of the patients would recommend the intervention to others. Interviewed patients (N=25) indicated that the Atris app facilitated insight into their recovery, motivated them to reach their daily physical activity and protein intake goals, and, along with monitoring by the physiotherapist and dietician, created a feeling of being seen. Patients mentioned that the OPRAH intervention contributed to the improvement in their condition and physical status, and thereby supported their recovery. Most reported requirements were to further tailor the intervention to individual needs and enhancement of the nutritional part of the app. Consideration should be given to modifying the look and feel of the activity tracker.

Conclusion(s):

The feasibility of the OPRAH intervention is supported by positive user experiences from patients, as well as good system usability. Implementing the requirements of patients could aid in its implementation in regular healthcare.

Implications:

The results of this study, combined with the quantitative results of the OPRAH RCT, will contribute to optimize the recovery path of oncological surgery patients during their rehabilitation period. It also give more insight into the interdisciplinary collaboration between dietician and physiotherapists and the use of healthcare technology. Based on our results, specific education or courses for (future) healthcare professionals will be designed to optimize the collaboration between those professionals and how to make a valuable use of healthcare technology.

Funding acknowledgements:
Research grant of the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Institute and from Regieorgaan SIA (Grant SBV/RAAK.PUB09.039) was received.
Keywords:
Cancer
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Telerehabilitation
Primary topic:
Health promotion and wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Second topic:
Oncology, HIV and palliative care
Third topic:
Innovative technology: information management, big data and artificial intelligence
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
The Medical Ethical Research Committee Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands, location VUmc.
Provide the ethics approval number:
(METC 2021.0627)
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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