Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants

Abstract Introduction Integration of exercise into standard oncology care requires a highly skilled workforce of exercise professionals; however, competency requirements have not kept pace with advancements in the field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain consensus on core competencies r...

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Main Authors: Mary A. Kennedy, Kelley Covington Wood, Anna Campbell, Melanie Potiaumpai, Christopher M. Wilson, Anna L. Schwartz, Jessica Gorzelitz, Maxime Caru, Kathryn H. Schmitz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-07-01
Series:Cancer Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70004
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author Mary A. Kennedy
Kelley Covington Wood
Anna Campbell
Melanie Potiaumpai
Christopher M. Wilson
Anna L. Schwartz
Jessica Gorzelitz
Maxime Caru
Kathryn H. Schmitz
author_facet Mary A. Kennedy
Kelley Covington Wood
Anna Campbell
Melanie Potiaumpai
Christopher M. Wilson
Anna L. Schwartz
Jessica Gorzelitz
Maxime Caru
Kathryn H. Schmitz
author_sort Mary A. Kennedy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Integration of exercise into standard oncology care requires a highly skilled workforce of exercise professionals; however, competency requirements have not kept pace with advancements in the field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain consensus on core competencies required for an exercise professional to be qualified to work with adults undergoing active cancer treatment. Materials and Methods A three‐round modified electronic Delphi process was used. In Round 1, an international group of 64 exercise oncology stakeholders (i.e., exercise oncology professionals (n = 29), clinical referrers (n = 21), and people with lived experience (n = 14)) responded to open‐ended prompts eliciting perspectives regarding competencies needed for an exercise oncology professional to work with adults receiving active cancer treatment. Subsequently, only exercise oncology professionals participated, ranking the importance of competencies. In Round 2, professionals received summary feedback, ranked new competencies generated from open‐ended responses, and reranked competencies not reaching consensus. In the final round, professionals finalized consensus ranking and rated frequency and mastery level for each. Results Consensus was reached on 103 core competencies required for exercise professionals to be qualified to deliver care to adults undergoing active cancer treatment. The core competencies represent 10 content areas and reflect the needs of clinical referrers and people with lived experience of receiving cancer treatment. Conclusions The core competencies identified reflect significant advancements in the field of exercise oncology. Results will underpin the development of education, certification, and employment requirements for exercise oncology professionals, providing a critical step toward achieving routine integration of exercise into standard oncology care.
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spelling doaj-art-f1b3a455783446a394678f319d7ea9e82024-12-19T12:33:09ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342024-07-011314n/an/a10.1002/cam4.70004Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participantsMary A. Kennedy0Kelley Covington Wood1Anna Campbell2Melanie Potiaumpai3Christopher M. Wilson4Anna L. Schwartz5Jessica Gorzelitz6Maxime Caru7Kathryn H. Schmitz8Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences Edith Cowan University Joondalup Western Australia AustraliaReVital Cancer Rehabilitation, Select Medical Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania USASchool of Applied Sciences Edinburgh Napier University Edinburgh UKDivision of Hematology and Oncology University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USAPhysical Therapy Program, School of Health Sciences Oakland University Rochester Michigan USACollege of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha Nebraska USADepartment of Health and Human Physiology University of Iowa Iowa City Iowa USADepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology Pennsylvania State Health Children's Hospital Hershey Pennsylvania USADivision of Hematology and Oncology University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USAAbstract Introduction Integration of exercise into standard oncology care requires a highly skilled workforce of exercise professionals; however, competency requirements have not kept pace with advancements in the field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain consensus on core competencies required for an exercise professional to be qualified to work with adults undergoing active cancer treatment. Materials and Methods A three‐round modified electronic Delphi process was used. In Round 1, an international group of 64 exercise oncology stakeholders (i.e., exercise oncology professionals (n = 29), clinical referrers (n = 21), and people with lived experience (n = 14)) responded to open‐ended prompts eliciting perspectives regarding competencies needed for an exercise oncology professional to work with adults receiving active cancer treatment. Subsequently, only exercise oncology professionals participated, ranking the importance of competencies. In Round 2, professionals received summary feedback, ranked new competencies generated from open‐ended responses, and reranked competencies not reaching consensus. In the final round, professionals finalized consensus ranking and rated frequency and mastery level for each. Results Consensus was reached on 103 core competencies required for exercise professionals to be qualified to deliver care to adults undergoing active cancer treatment. The core competencies represent 10 content areas and reflect the needs of clinical referrers and people with lived experience of receiving cancer treatment. Conclusions The core competencies identified reflect significant advancements in the field of exercise oncology. Results will underpin the development of education, certification, and employment requirements for exercise oncology professionals, providing a critical step toward achieving routine integration of exercise into standard oncology care.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70004competencyDelphiexerciseoncologyprofessional development
spellingShingle Mary A. Kennedy
Kelley Covington Wood
Anna Campbell
Melanie Potiaumpai
Christopher M. Wilson
Anna L. Schwartz
Jessica Gorzelitz
Maxime Caru
Kathryn H. Schmitz
Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants
Cancer Medicine
competency
Delphi
exercise
oncology
professional development
title Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants
title_full Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants
title_fullStr Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants
title_full_unstemmed Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants
title_short Identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals: A Delphi study of United States and Australian participants
title_sort identification of core competencies for exercise oncology professionals a delphi study of united states and australian participants
topic competency
Delphi
exercise
oncology
professional development
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70004
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