The Use of Physiotherapy Navigators in Acute Cancer Care Settings: A Scoping Review

IF 2 Q2 REHABILITATION

Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation Pub Date : 2025-09-01 DOI:10.1016/j.arrct.2025.100489

Holly Edward PT, MSc , Nelani Paramanantharajah BSc , Neeraja Nannapaneni BSc , Jenette Wu BSc , Sarah Wojkowski PT, PhD , Luciana Macedo PT, PhD , Som D. Mukherjee MD, MSc, FRCP(C) , Jenna Smith-Turchyn PT, PhD

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this review was to explore and map the use of physiotherapist (PT) navigator roles, their settings, decision-making processes, interventions delivered, barriers, and facilitators in acute cancer care settings.

Data Sources

Five databases and gray literature sources were searched to July 4, 2024.

Study Selection

To be included in this review, studies must have included adults ≥18 years old living with cancer, used a navigation role or model of care led by a physiotherapist, and occurred in an acute cancer care setting (ie, a setting administering cancer treatments to individuals with a current diagnosis of cancer).

Data Extraction

Two independent reviewers completed all screening and data extraction.

Data Synthesis

Data were summarized narratively, and descriptive statistics were provided where applicable. Thirteen references were included; 6 perspective papers, 5 research articles, and 2 presentations. The characteristics of PT navigator roles varied but mainly included triaging through assessment (n=13; 100%), exercise planning and prescription (n=9; 69.2%), referral to appropriate services (n=7; 53.8%), barrier identification (n=5; 38.5%), providing education (n=4; 30.8%), and goal setting (n=2; 15.4%). Most PT navigators (n=10; 76.9%) interacted with patients within the first month of treatment and followed up at various timepoints (eg, weekly, monthly, as needed). A range of facilitators (eg, onsite services, support from the medical team, no patient cost to interact with the PT navigator) and barriers (eg, lack of health system funding, lack of medical team knowledge of rehabilitation, and additional patient costs) to the PT navigator role were identified.

Conclusions

This review summarized and mapped the current evidence regarding PT navigation in acute cancer care settings. Future research and clinical programs to enhance the design and implementation of such roles are recommended.

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使用物理治疗导航在急性癌症护理设置：范围审查

本综述的目的是探索和绘制物理治疗师（PT）导航角色的使用，他们的设置，决策过程，提供的干预措施，障碍和促进急性癌症护理环境。数据来源检索到2024年7月4日的5个数据库和灰色文献来源。研究选择要纳入本综述，研究必须包括≥18岁的癌症患者，使用由物理治疗师领导的导航角色或护理模式，并且发生在急性癌症护理环境中（即，对当前诊断为癌症的个体进行癌症治疗的环境）。数据提取两名独立评审员完成所有筛选和数据提取。数据综合对数据进行叙述总结，并在适用的情况下提供描述性统计。包括13篇参考文献；6篇观点论文，5篇研究论文，2篇报告。PT导航员角色的特征各不相同，但主要包括通过评估进行分诊（n=13; 100%）、运动计划和处方（n=9; 69.2%）、转诊到合适的服务（n=7; 53.8%）、识别障碍（n=5; 38.5%）、提供教育（n=4; 30.8%）和设定目标（n=2; 15.4%）。大多数PT导航员（n=10; 76.9%）在治疗的第一个月内与患者互动，并在不同的时间点（如每周、每月，根据需要）进行随访。确定了PT导航员角色的一系列促进因素（例如，现场服务，医疗团队的支持，与PT导航员互动无需患者成本）和障碍（例如，缺乏卫生系统资金，缺乏医疗团队对康复的了解，以及额外的患者成本）。结论：本综述总结并绘制了目前关于PT导航在急性癌症护理环境中的证据。建议未来的研究和临床项目加强这些角色的设计和实施。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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