A cancer personalised activity and lifestyle tool (CAN‐PAL): A codesign study with patients and healthcare professionals

Abstract

AbstractAimsTo codesign a cancer personalised activity and lifestyle tool (CAN‐PAL) based on an existing tool. To help cancer care workers support people affected by cancer to plan and integrate physical activity into lifestyles.DesignMixed‐methods codesign study.MethodsPhase 1: Focus groups with people affected by cancer (n = 10) or interviews (n = 2) to discuss suitable physical activities and adaptation of the existing tool. Data were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Themes informed the design of the prototype CAN‐PAL and user guide. Phase 2: Healthcare professionals considered the potential use of the CAN‐PAL prototype and completed an online survey including the system usability scale and free text responses.ResultsPhase 1: Identified suitable physical activities and four themes were identified including: Capability, benefits, barriers and resources which informed the prototype CAN‐PAL and user guide. Phase 2: The user survey was completed by 12 healthcare professionals. Median (range) system usability scale was 80 (50–95) (best score 100), scores >68 indicate good or better usability. Themes from the free text comments included strengths, amendments, considerations and limitations. Results were used to finalise CAN‐PAL and the user guide.ConclusionThe codesigned CAN‐PAL tool had good usability. Further work is needed to evaluate the impact of CAN‐PAL on activity levels and behaviour in people affected by cancer.Relevance to Clinical PracticePeople affected by cancer need support to undertake physical activity. The purpose of CAN‐PAL is to assist cancer care workers to support people affected by cancer to plan and integrate physical activity into lifestyles.Patient or Public ContributionPublic partners considered the findings from Phase 1 and 2 and informed the design of the prototype, final CAN‐PAL and user guide and coauthored the paper.Reporting MethodThe study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines; the study was reported according to the COREQ checklist.