Browsing by Author "Guilcher, Gregory M. T."

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    Addressing Key Stakeholders to Assess the Reach of a Community-Based Pediatric Oncology Physical Activity Program
    (2018-07-03) Kronlund, Liam James; Culos-Reed, Susan Nicole; Guilcher, Gregory M. T.; McDonough, Meghan H.
    Physical activity provides both physical and psychosocial benefits to children with cancer. The Pediatric Cancer Patients and Survivors Engaging in Exercise for Recovery (PEER) program is a community-based pediatric oncology program supporting the physical, social, and mental wellbeing of children affected by cancer. Using the RE-AIM framework to assess the reach of the PEER program, we implemented a mixed methodology approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from key stakeholders. Participants included healthcare professionals practicing in pediatric oncology, parents/guardians of PEER program users and parents/guardians non-users, adolescent PEER program users and eligible adolescent non-users, and Kids Cancer Care informants. Participants completed a preliminary survey followed by an optional 30-minute in-person or telephone interview with the study coordinator. The results generated six main themes around factors that impact the reach including knowledge, program support, sharing information, program referrals, participation barriers, and participation facilitators. Understanding these themes related to the PEER program’s reach provides potential solutions to foster increased PEER program awareness and uptake by the pediatric cancer community.
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    Evaluation of Community-Based Physical Activity Programming for Childhood Cancer Survivors
    (2018-09-21) Shank, Jena Ann; Culos-Reed, Susan Nicole; Schulte, Fiona S. M.; Guilcher, Gregory M. T.; Emery, Carolyn A.; Laing, Catherine M.
    Background: Childhood cancer treatments include numerous negative physical and psychosocial outcomes. Preliminary evidence suggests cancer-related side effects may be reduced by physical activity (PA). Fortunately, early research supports the physical and psychosocial benefits of PA in childhood cancer survivors. However, only a handful of research studies have been translated into community-based PA programs. One of these community- based programs is the Pediatric Cancer Patients and Survivors Engaging in Exercise for Recovery (PEER) program. The next step in translation is to evaluate patient outcomes regarding PEER participation. Thus, the purpose of the current proposal was to determine applicable evidence-based evaluation tools for the PEER program. Methods: The knowledge- to-action framework was used to compile feasible and sustainable evaluation tools, along with an algorithm to determine which tools are appropriate in the assessment of each PEER participant. Specifically, (a) a scoping review determined evaluation tools used to date in childhood cancer PA/exercise programs and studies. Based on the results of this review, (b) interviews were conducted with key stakeholders to understand what they find valuable to evaluate in PEER. This work, along with the goals of the PEER program, (c) guided the development of the evaluation tools along with an algorithm for tool implementation based on participant age, cognitive and physical ability. Finally, (d) the evaluation tools were tested for feasibility in PEER. Conclusions: The present work was the first to establish evidence-based evaluation tools that are feasible for the community-based PEER program. Ongoing PEER evaluation may enhance program translation and support the sustainability.