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© 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the "License"). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Introduction

Integration of exercise into standard oncology care requires a highly skilled workforce of exercise professionals; however, competency requirements have not kept pace with advancements in the field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain consensus on core competencies required for an exercise professional to be qualified to work with adults undergoing active cancer treatment.

Materials and Methods

A three‐round modified electronic Delphi process was used. In Round 1, an international group of 64 exercise oncology stakeholders (i.e., exercise oncology professionals (n = 29), clinical referrers (n = 21), and people with lived experience (n = 14)) responded to open‐ended prompts eliciting perspectives regarding competencies needed for an exercise oncology professional to work with adults receiving active cancer treatment. Subsequently, only exercise oncology professionals participated, ranking the importance of competencies. In Round 2, professionals received summary feedback, ranked new competencies generated from open‐ended responses, and reranked competencies not reaching consensus. In the final round, professionals finalized consensus ranking and rated frequency and mastery level for each.

Results

Consensus was reached on 103 core competencies required for exercise professionals to be qualified to deliver care to adults undergoing active cancer treatment. The core competencies represent 10 content areas and reflect the needs of clinical referrers and people with lived experience of receiving cancer treatment.

Conclusions

The core competencies identified reflect significant advancements in the field of exercise oncology. Results will underpin the development of education, certification, and employment requirements for exercise oncology professionals, providing a critical step toward achieving routine integration of exercise into standard oncology care.

Details

Title
Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants
Author
Kennedy, Mary A. 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Wood, Kelley Covington 2 ; Campbell, Anna 3 ; Potiaumpai, Melanie 4 ; Wilson, Christopher M. 5 ; Schwartz, Anna L. 6 ; Gorzelitz, Jessica 7 ; Caru, Maxime 8 ; Schmitz, Kathryn H. 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia 
 ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation, Select Medical, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA 
 School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK 
 Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
 Physical Therapy Program, School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA, Founding Residency Program Director, Beaumont Health Oncology Residency, Troy, Michigan, USA 
 College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA 
 Department of Health and Human Physiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA 
 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State Health Children's Hospital, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA 
Section
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Jul 1, 2024
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
e-ISSN
20457634
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3085314011
Copyright
© 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the "License"). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.