Pelvic health issues after treatment for gynecological cancer are common. Due to challenges in accessing physiotherapy services, exploring virtual pelvic healthcare is essential. This study aims to understand needs, preferences, barriers, and facilitators for a virtual pelvic healthcare program for gynecological cancer survivors.
A multi-center, sequential mixed-methods study was conducted. An anonymous online survey (N=50) gathered quantitative data on pelvic health knowledge, opportunities, and motivation. Focus groups (N=14) explored patient experiences and consensus on pelvic health interventions and virtual delivery. Quantitative data used descriptive statistics, and focus group analyses employed inductive thematic analysis. Findings were mapped to the capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B) behavior change model.
Participants reported lacking knowledge about pelvic health interventions and capability related to the use of vaginal dilators and continence care. Barriers to opportunity included lack of healthcare provider-initiated pelvic health discussions, limited time in clinic with healthcare providers, finding reliable information, and cost of physical therapy pelvic health services. Virtual delivery was seen favorably and may help to address motivational barriers related to embarrassment and frustration with care.
Awareness of pelvic healthcare is lacking among people treated for gynecological cancer. Virtual delivery of pelvic health interventions is perceived as a solution to enhance access while minimizing travel, cost, embarrassment, and exposure risks.
A better understanding of the pelvic health needs of individuals following gynecological cancer treatments enables the development of tailored virtual pelvic health rehabilitation interventions which may improve access to pelvic health survivorship care.
Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice. 2024 Mar 22 [Epub ahead of print]
Stéphanie Bernard, Ericka Wiebe, Alexandra Waters, Sabrina Selmani, Jill Turner, Sinéad Dufour, Puneeta Tandon, Donna Pepin, Margaret L McNeely
École des sciences de la réadaptation, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry (L-4467), 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, (QC), G1V 0A6, Canada. ., Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada., Département de radio-oncologie, Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Bas-St-Laurent, Québec, Rimouski, Canada., Cross Cancer Institute, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada., School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada., Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology (Liver Unit), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada., Patient Partner in Research, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Ontario, Canada., Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.