Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: November | Volume: 11 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 15-22
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20211103
Identification of Barriers in Onco-Physiotherapy: Patient’s Perspective; A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Hetanshi Raikundlia1, Siddhi Ghodge2
1Intern, K. J Somaiya College of Physiotherapy, Mumbai.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiorespiratory Sciences, K. J. Somaiya College of Physiotherapy, Mumbai.
Corresponding Author: Hetanshi Raikundlia
ABSTRACT
Cancer is a debilitating and complex disease that affects millions of people around the world, it has been identified that cancer rehabilitation including physiotherapy can be important factor in management of cancer patients and survivors.
There are disquisitions that showcase and prove the presence of certain problems with respect to referral and delivery of the physiotherapy treatment given to oncology patients. It is noticed that in spite of available facilities a large number of our population including the cancer patients are unaware of the presence of onco-physiotherapy and its potential benefits. This cross sectional study conducted among cancer patients aims to identify these barriers to help gain a complete understanding of them and the benefits of rehabilitation will help us gain valuable insight to optimise the beneficial services and its deliverance at these centres.
It showed that only half of the samples were aware of onco-physiotherapy. There are multiple barriers faced especially with respect to the referral system present in our country. Though they do not lack motivation, family and community support, ability to follow exercise regime and home programme, this study showed that in spite of this being conducted in an urban setting most were unaware of such services. This tells us that there is a dire need of awareness among patients, doctors and general population. There is also a need for more awareness about NGOs, government schemes and specialised branch of onco-physiotherapy to aid the rehabilitation process.
Key words: Oncology, cancer rehabilitation, onco-physiotherpy, barriers, awareness.