Ms Katherine Maka1, Dr Dragana Ceprnja1, A/Prof Elisabeth Elder1, A/Prof Nirmala Pathmanathan1, Ms Masrura Kabir1
1Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia
Biography:
Katherine Maka is the Head of Department, Physiotherapy, Westmead Hospital. Katherine is recognised for her leadership, clinical research, and passion for quality improvement. She has received numerous awards and been recognised for her research presentations and contribution to the Physiotherapy profession by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Katherine has completed a Diploma of Leadership and Management 2016, Graduate Certificate Clinical Redesign University Tasmania 2018 and an MBA (Innovation and Leadership) through the University of Canberra. Katherine has expertise in engaging with consumers and stakeholders to make critical decisions that enhance service delivery and drive an ongoing focus on quality improvement.
Abstract:
Background/Aims:
Regular physical activity and exercise has the potential to improve health outcomes in the breast cancer population. This pilot study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an exercise program in women with breast cancer and identify potential barriers to implementation.
Methods:
A single-arm Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation pilot study with mixed methods was adopted. Participants were recruited from the Breast Cancer Institute at Westmead Hospital and offered a 12-week supervised exercise program that is flexible and individualised. Focus groups were conducted with participants to determine acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of the program.
Results:
Eighty women were recruited to the study (mean age = 53 years, mean BMI = 27.3) to date. Focus groups revealed strong themes around the program being an important social support, assisting with physical recovery and empowering women to feel confident in doing more exercise and returning to activities of daily living. Having an instructor to guide exercise progression was an identified strength of the program. Women spoke of the wide-ranging benefits the program offered, were grateful to have access to an individualised program and valued meeting other women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Discussion:
Women with breast cancer recognise the important physical and psychological health benefits offered by participation in an exercise program and acknowledge the social connections with other women a group program supports. The findings to date suggest implementation of an individualised and supervised exercise program is very acceptable and feasible in a tertiary setting.