The delivery of health improvement information during radiotherapy treatment : a survey of UK therapy radiographers

Introduction: The burden of lifestyle-associated disease is increasing with a preventative approach to health becoming more of a focus. Within the oncology setting, the importance of supporting patients with positive lifestyle changes post treatment is included within the recently developed recovery package and the contribution of therapeutic radiographers will be significant in the implementation of this. Method: A 23-question survey tool was distributed via the online platform Survey Monkey. The questionnaire was promoted online through the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR). All members of the SCoR had access to the questionnaire to allow for assessment of health improvement provision nationally. Quantitative and qualitative data were acquired and analysed using the statistical package for the social sciences, descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: Therapy radiographers recognise importance of health promotion. Highest levels of provision were observed with smoking cessation and lowest levels of provision observed on the topic of exercise. Key barriers identified were staff responsibility and lack of knowledge and training of therapy radiographers. Discussion: Health improvement is part of the role of the therapy radiographer and is delivered within UK radiotherapy departments; however, there is scope to increase delivery with the identification and overcoming of barriers to provision.