Essential elements of optimal dietary and exercise referral practices for cancer survivors: expert consensus for medical and nursing health professionals

Pre-Frailty and Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults: A Comparison Study in People with and without a History of Cancer in an Acute Medical Unit

“…Referrals for such nutritional interventions should also be coupled with exercise to improve frailty and frailty-related indicators in hospitalized older adults [ 29 , 30 ]. While it is important to treat malnutrition during hospitalization, efforts should also target prevention and early intervention at the primary care level through multidisciplinary teams involving exercise health professionals and dietitians [ 31 , 32 ]. Whilst acknowledging the increasing burden of geriatric and oncological care on general practitioners in primary care settings, a recent novel study provided preliminary evidence that dietitians could potentially act as first contact practitioners for older adults at risk of malnutrition (and frailty) as part of the practice multidisciplinary team [ 33 ].…”

Adopting a systems-thinking approach to optimise dietary and exercise referral practices for cancer survivors

“…Participants were pre-assigned to a group discussing one of the six WHO building blocks by the research team based on their previous experiences, knowledge, and expertise in those areas. Facilitators of each group were tasked with (1) reviewing the Principles of Cancer Survivorship [ 31 ] and essential elements of dietary and exercise referral practices [ 18 ] and (2) familiarising themselves with a semi-structured workshop guide to promote discussions within the groups as they apply to their group’s allocated WHO building block throughout each session.…”

“…In order to address similar concerns in the provision of dietary and exercise support, previous approaches include raising awareness among cancer survivors and their healthcare professionals about the benefits of diet and exercise, engaging stakeholders for their buy-in within different clinical organisations, implementing validated triage tools, and integrating referrals into the survivorship care plan and/or electronic records [ 15 – 17 ]. Consensus for the essential elements of diet and exercise referral practices has also been developed [ 18 ]. However, optimising referral practices requires a better understanding of complex factors that are part of an interconnected system that may facilitate or impede referral practices.…”

Bridging the gap: the role of nurses in promoting exercise for cancer survivors

“…Nurses' regular interactions with patients place them in a unique position to provide tailored and evidence-based exercise recommendations and facilitate referrals to appropriate exercise programs or specialists. 26 A crucial recommendation for nurses is to actively engage in the recommended levels of weekly exercise themselves. By adopting regular exercise routines, nurses not only enhance their own well-being and reduce risk of chronic disease but also serve as influential role models for their patients.…”

“…Educational institutions and professional organisations should incorporate education about exercise guidelines for cancer survivors into nursing curricula and continuing education programs, including training in how and when to assess cancer survivors for their suitability to exercise, and optimal referral practices. 26 Enhancing nurses' knowledge about the safety and benefits of exercise and confidence to provide exercise screening, advice, and referrals, can support the implementation of exercise guidelines in practice.…”