Health professionals' and non-governmental organisations' role in dietary and lifestyle support for colorectal cancer survivors in New Zealand : a qualitative study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
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Date
2022
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Massey University
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Abstract
Background: Diet and lifestyle change impacts recovery and the risk of recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC). Understanding the means of information provision, resources and barriers to diet and lifestyle information provision by health professionals (HPs) and cancer-related non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) is vital to providing optimal care. Aim: To explore HPs and NGOs perspectives on their role in providing advice and information on diet and lifestyle for CRC survivors. Methods: HPs and NGOs were sampled purposefully and by convenience. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed by thematic analysis. Results: HPs acknowledge the important role of healthy diet and lifestyle for CRC survivors. Three major findings were identified: 1) dietary and physical activity (PA) advice ideally should be tailored to the individual needs and circumstances of CRC survivors, 2) CRC survivor access to services was inequitable and determined by the referral process and availability of dietary and lifestyle services, 3) an inadequate standardisation and a lack of support structure for health information provision was experienced across HPs and NGOs. Conclusion: Equitable access and standardised pathways are needed to ensure health professionals can provide timely and appropriate dietary and lifestyle information to cancer survivors, needed to enhance survivorship, and reduce CRC recurrence. Please note: Chapter 5 provides a separate stand-alone chapter on a substudy that assesses the quality, navigation, readability, and content of information on diet and lifestyle of the two major cancer NGOs websites in New Zealand for CRC survivors. The substudy is to supplement the main study, as NGO websites are major sources of cancer-related lifestyle information.