‘Probably better than any medication we can give you’: General practitioners’ views on exercise and nutrition in cancer

Abstract

Background and objectiveExercise and healthy eating patterns are effective in improving health-related quality of life for patients with cancer. However, little is known about general practitioners' (GPs') views and experiences regarding providing exercise and nutrition recommendations to their patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to 1) report GPs' experiences of providing nutrition and exercise advice to their patients and 2) identify perceived barriers and enablers to implementation of exercise and nutrition advice throughout the cancer journey from the GP perspective. MethodsTwenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted, and transcripts coded by two independent researchers. A thematic analysis was performed to derive main themes. ResultsFour main themes were identified: the importance of exercise and nutrition recommendations for patients with cancer, the influence of the patient agenda, the influence of additional training or personal interest of the GP, and limitations of the primary care setting.

How can counselling by family physicians on nutrition and physical activity be improved: trends from a survey in Germany

“…Eightyfive percent report addressing these topics with their cancer patients. This perception is congruent to previous studies on opinions of cancer care providers (Jefford et al 2020;Pilotto et al 2022;Sisler et al 2016;Waterland et al 2020).…”

“…This perception is in line with studies on communication between primary and secondary HCP (Easley et al 2016(Easley et al , 2017McConnell et al 1999;Suija et al 2016;Vermeir et al 2015). Poor communication can lead to various negative outcomes, such as wasting the physician's time and lengthening the patient's stay, subsequently causing medical errors, stress, and frustration (Vermeir et al 2015;Waterland et al 2020).…”

“…Many HCP are involved in nutritional care and exercise therapy, such as oncologists, FP, dietitians, physical therapists, and nurses. While acknowledging their responsibilities in lifestyle counselling, many report lacking knowledge and time to provide advice on nutrition and PA to cancer patients, as is also true in our study (Avancini et al 2020;"EFAD and ESDN Oncology Statement Paper on the Role of the Dietitian in Oncology," 2021; Kirbiyik and Ozkan 2018;Massoud et al 2021;Pilotto et al 2022;van Veen et al 2017;Waterland et al 2020).…”

Healthcare practices that increase the quality of care in cancer trajectories from a general practice perspective: a scoping review

“…Effective and people-centered quality of care during follow-up in the cancer trajectory is increased when GPs act as interpreters of hospital information, such as survivorship care plans and practice proactive care [ 49 , 54 , 56 , 62 , 63 ]. In cases where the patient is familiar with the GP, it increases the effective and people-centered quality of care if the GP does not completely follow the recommended guidelines regarding exercise and nutrition recommendations based on cancer diagnosis, but instead tailors the recommendations to each individual patient [ 64 ]. A well-established relationship before the cancer diagnosis makes it easier for patients, caregivers, and GPs to contact each other, and for patients and caregivers to ask the GP for support [ 36 , 44 , 47 ].…”

Los entornos saludables y la calidad de vida. Estudio “Healthy Cities”

“…Entre las diversas variables presentes en los entornos urbanos y laborales que, desde el punto de vista científico se deben tener en cuenta, destacan la práctica de actividad física (AF) junto con la dieta alimenticia. Unidos al tipo de actividad laboral o aspectos de índole emocional, pueden resultar determinantes para la citada calidad de vida (Leitaru et al, 2019;Mielke et al, 2020;Waterland et al, 2020).…”