{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.026710097719869708, 'fraction_numerical': 0.003908794788273616, 'mean_word_length': 5.857142857142857, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Adding exercise to a care pathway for patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) surgical patients experience high symptom burden. Exercise prehabilitation has the potential to improve patient outcomes, but the perspectives of patients and healthcare providers (HCPs) must be considered to facilitate implementation. The purpose of this study was to obtain qualitative feedback from HNC surgical patients and HCPs regarding: (1) adding patient assessments across the HNC surgical timeline, and (2) the logistics and potential benefits of a future exercise prehabilitation intervention. Semi-structured interviews took place with patients and HCPs. Interview questions included satisfaction with study recruitment, measurement completion, impact on clinical workflow (HCPs), and perceptions of a future prehabilitation program. Transcripts were analyzed using a constructivist philosophy and interpretive description methodology. Ten patients and ten HCPs participated in this study. Four themes were identified: (1) the value of exercise and its importance in clinical care, (2) acceptability and necessity of assessments, (3) factors to support implementation, and (4) the components of an ideal prehabilitation program. Overall, these findings highlight the importance and value of exercise across the HNC surgical timeline from both the patient and HCPs’ perspective. These findings will inform the future implementation of a multiphasic exercise prehabilitation trial in HNC surgical patients.