Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

More Canadians are living after cancer, but most people who survive cancer still struggle with physical and emotional problems long after treatment. Physiotherapists can help survivors improve strength, mobility, and quality of life, but physiotherapy services are not often available to patients in Canada. This study explored whether a new role, a Physiotherapy Navigator, could help people newly diagnosed with cancer get the support they need. Healthcare professionals across Canada gave feedback using an online survey on what they thought this PT Navigator should do. After two rounds of their input, they agreed on a role that includes assessing patients, helping them access the right services, providing rehabilitation treatment, and checking in regularly. They also thought it was important for the PT Navigator to have longer appointment times with patients and that the patients should be able to refer themselves instead of waiting for a doctor to refer patients to the PT Navigator. The next step is to test this PT Navigator role in a small study at a cancer centre in Hamilton, Ontario. If successful, this role could make it easier for cancer survivors to get physiotherapy early, improving their function and quality of life.