Do Oncologists Recommend the “Pill” of Physical Activity in Their Practice? Answers from the Oncologist and Patients’ Perspectives

Abstract

Objectives: The purposes of this current questionnaire-based study were to analyse whether oncologists prescribed PA to their patients in Spain, as well as the type of exercise recommended, the variables that influence whether or not to recommend it and to compare these recommendations with the values reported by their patients. Methods: Two online questionnaires were designed for this study. The first one, filled in by the oncologists (n = 93), contained aspects such as the attitude or barriers to promoting PA. The second was designed for patients with cancer (n = 149), which assessed PA levels and counselling received from oncologists, among other facets. Results: The majority of oncologists (97%) recommend PA during their consultations. Instead, only 62% of patients reported participating in exercise within the last 7 days. Walking was the most common form of exercise, reported by 50% of participants. Patients who received exercise recommendations from their oncologist walked for more days (p = 0.004; ES = 0.442) and more minutes per day (p = 0.022; ES = 0.410). The barriers most highlighted by patients were lack of time and not knowing how to perform PA. Conclusion: Oncologists and patients seem to be interested and able to participate in PA counselling and programmes. However, there was a discrepancy between what was reported by oncologists and expressed by patients in terms of recommendations for PA and the modality itself.