Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2022

Evaluating the feasibility of a co-designed, online healthy living intervention for post-treatment cancer survivors: healthy living after cancer Online.   (#442)

Morgan Leske 1 , Bogda Koczwara 2 3 , Jason Blunt 4 , Elizabeth Eakin 5 , Camille Short 6 , Anthony Daly 4 , Julia Morris 4 , Jon Degner 7 , Lisa Beatty 1
  1. College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Finders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Department of Medical Oncology, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University , Adelaide, SA, Australia
  4. Cancer Council SA, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  5. Faculty of Medicine , University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
  6. Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences , The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  7. Cancer Voices, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Aim: Engaging in a healthy lifestyle following cancer treatment can improve quality of life of cancer survivors. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of delivering Healthy Living after Cancer Online (HLaC Online), a co-designed online physical activity, nutrition, and psychosocial intervention for post-treatment cancer survivors.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was used, including pre-post questionnaires and a semi-structured telephone interview. Australian cancer survivors, <5 years post-diagnosis, were invited to participate in HLaC Online for 12 weeks. Feasibility of the HLaC Online was determined by the intervention uptake, usage, usability, and satisfaction, and attrition at the post-treatment questionnaire.

Results: 15 cancer survivors enrolled in HLaC Online, 11 of whom were eligible to participate. Five (45%) participants dropped out following the baseline questionnaire, before interacting with HLaC Online. The remaining participants (n = 6, 45%) on average accessed 3.33 (SD = 3.01) of nine available modules and 5 (45%) completed the post-treatment questionnaire. One participant completed all nine modules. Perceived usability of HLaC Online was varied (cut off = 65, M = 64.17, range = 42.50 – 77.50). Qualitative feedback indicated that the topics were relevant and helpful, although the program had a lot of content and could feel overwhelming. Participants reported that it was difficult staying motivated due to lacking energy and intrinsic motivation. One suggestion was to involve someone to guide the user at the beginning of the program and assist with website orientation, setting up goals, and holding accountability.

Conclusions: Uptake and usage of HLaC Online were low. Barriers to uptake and usage include participant lack of energy and motivation, absence of accountability, the amount of information provided, and design issues with the manual data collection process and reminders to use the website. Future research will investigate addressing these barriers through the introduction of two brief guidance phone calls.