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Increasing levels of physical activity among people with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) can potentially reduce the health cost burden, improve functional aspects of patients' lives and increase ulcer healing rates. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with physical activity levels in patients with VLUs. Data from 2016 to 2017 Aspirin for Venous Leg Ulcer cohort study were analysed for the present study. Ninety participants were recruited from 5 outpatient specialist wound clinics across Victoria, Australia between August 2016 and April 2017. There was a statistically significant association between diabetes and physical activity, with a higher proportion of people with type 2 diabetes in the sedentary category. Further, there was a statistically significant association between patient-reported VLU education and physical activity levels. An indirect advantage of relevant, easy-to-understand education about VLUs may increase physical activity levels, which may facilitate improved time to healing of VLUs.

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Introduction:The supportive care needs of men with prostate cancer (PCa) have been well documented, but little is known about how an online portal may address these. This study sought to determine priority issues facing men with PCa, barriers and enablers to accessing care and whether health professionals (HPs) and men would support the inclusion of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) comparator tool.Methods: We conducted four online focus groups with HPs recruited from healthcare services in Victoria, followed by seven online codesign workshops with men with PCa, recruited through the Victorian Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry, Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia and the Cancer Council Victoria. Men were eligible to participate if they had lived experience of PCa and access to the internet. We analysed focus groups thematically. Workshops were analysed using descriptive-content analysis.Results: HPs (n = 39) highlighted that men had shifting priorities over time, but noted the importance of providing information to men in lay terms to assist in treatment decision-making and side-effect management. HPs identified key enablers to men accessing support services such as practice nurses, partners and having men share their stories with each other. HPs raised financial, cultural, geographic and emotional barriers to accessing supportive care. Inclusion of a PRO comparator tool received mixed support from HPs, with 41% (n = 16) supportive, 49% (n = 19) unsure and 10%(n = 4) not supportive. Men involved in workshops (n = 28) identified informational needs to assist in treatment decision-making and side-effect management as the top priority throughout care. Men described support groups and practice nurses as key enablers. Short consultation times and complex information were described as barriers. Unlike HPs, all men supported the inclusion of a PRO comparator tool in a portal.