Barriers to cancer rehabilitation: healthcare professionals’ perspective in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Cancer has a major impact on societies across the world and there is a significant rise in the global cancer burden. Due to advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment, the number of cancer survivors is increasing. However, they face physical and cognitive challenges, which may affect their quality of life. The study aims to identify current clinical practice patterns and barriers to cancer rehabilitation from the perspective of Saudi healthcare professionals.

Method All healthcare professionals providing care for cancer patients at King Fahad Medical City were invited to participate. Two semi-structured focus groups and 9 interviews were conducted. Participants were physicians and allied health professionals. The researcher led the discussions and recorded comments, facial expressions, and other non-verbal communication nuances. Content analysis was performed to identify and summarize themes.

Results Four key themes related to barriers in cancer rehabilitation are identified: healthcare providers’ competencies and knowledge, communication barriers, limited rehabilitation services for cancer patients, and patient- and family-related barriers.

Conclusion The study identifies current clinical practice patterns and various barriers to cancer rehabilitation from Saudi health care professionals’ perspective. The findings may help policy makers and stake holders to design effective rehabilitation guidelines for cancer rehabilitation.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Krebs hat weltweit erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaften, wobei ein deutlicher Anstieg der weltweiten Krebsbelastung zu verzeichnen ist. Dank der Fortschritte bei der Diagnose und Behandlung von Krebs steigt die Zahl der Personen, die den Krebs überleben. Allerdings haben sie mit körperlichen und kognitiven Herausforderungen zu kämpfen, die ihre Lebensqualität beeinträchtigen können. Das Ziel der Studie ist es, aktuelle Strukturen der klinischen Praxis und die Hindernisse, die bei Krebserkrankungen einer Rehabilitation im Wege stehen, aus Sicht saudischer medizinischer Fachkräfte zu identifizieren.

Methode Alle medizinischen Fachkräfte, die Krebspatienten in der King Fahad Medical City betreuen, waren zur Teilnahme eingeladen. Es gab 2 semistrukturierte Fokusgruppen, wobei neun Befragungen durchgeführt wurden. Die Teilnehmer waren Ärzte und Angehörige sonstiger Gesundheitsberufe. Der Forscher leitete die Diskussionen und notierte Kommentare, Mimik und sonstige Nuancen nonverbaler Kommunikation. Die Inhaltsanalyse wurde durchgeführt, um Themen zu identifizieren und zusammenzufassen.

Ergebnisse in Bezug auf die Hindernisse, die einer Rehabilitation bei Krebserkrankungen im Wege stehen, wurden vier zentrale Themen identifiziert: die Kompetenzen und Kenntnisse der Gesundheitsdienstleister, Kommunikationshindernisse, begrenzte Rehabilitationsleistungen für Krebspatienten sowie patienten- und familienbezogene Hindernisse.

Fazit Die Studie identifiziert aktuelle Strukturen der klinischen Praxis sowie verschiedene Hindernisse bezüglich der Rehabilitation bei Krebserkrankungen, dies aus der Sicht saudischer medizinischer Fachkräfte. Die Ergebnisse können den Entscheidungsträgern und Beteiligten helfen, effektive Richtlinien für die Rehabilitation bei Krebserkrankungen zu entwickeln.

Key words

Cancer - Rehabilitation - Barriers - Healthcare providers

Schlüsselwörter

Krebs - rehabilitation - Hindernisse - Gesundheitsdienstleister

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