The clinical decision‐making process of healthcare professionals within a personalized home‐based rehabilitation program during sequential chemoradiotherapy for stage III non‐small lung cancer: A case study

Abstract

Introduction The purpose of this case study was to demonstrate the clinical decision‐making process of healthcare professionals within a rehabilitation program during chemoradiotherapy (CHRT) for a high‐risk patient diagnosed with stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The course of CHRT and patient's preferences, facilitators, and barriers were considered. Case‐description The patient was a 69‐year‐old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed with stage III NSCLC. Intervention A home‐based, personalized, and partly supervised rehabilitation program during CHRT, including aerobic, resistance, and breathing exercises, as well as nutritional counseling. Outcomes The patient suffered from side effects of CHRT, which required adjustments in the context and intensity of the exercises. An important facilitator for the patient was encouraged by his wife in following the home‐based rehabilitation program. During home visits, the patient and physiotherapists performed the exercises together to help him to overcome the burden and motivate the patient to adhere to the rehabilitation program. Conclusion This case study demonstrates that physical exercise training could be performed by adjusting training intensity and the way in which the physical exercise training was delivered, while the patient experienced side effects from CHRT. In addition, the involvement and support of (in)formal caregivers seems essential for adherence to rehabilitation.