Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue has the potential to have a lasting impact on the quality of life, engagement in meaningful occupations, and well-being of oncology patients, which negatively impacts occupational performance and causes an increase in demand for each task an oncology patient managing cancer-related fatigue completes. This capstone project explores the importance of enhancing occupational therapy practitioners' (OTPs) confidence in implementing interventions for cancer-related fatigue using an evidence-based educational program presentation. Based on the literature review, there is a gap in the lack of formal training in oncology and OT academic curriculum, which does not highlight general oncology and cancer-related interventions despite it being the most common symptom experienced by oncology patients. The evidence-based educational program described the definition of cancer-related fatigue, discussed occupational therapy's role in managing cancer-related fatigue, reviewed the lack of education and training provided to OTPs, and provided various evidence, occupation, and performance-based interventions for this population. A needs assessment was completed to further guide the capstone project, and the results were gathered and included in the cancer-related educational program presentation to fellow OTPs. To measure the outcomes of the educational program, a pre-and post-survey with the same five questions asked in Likert format was provided to each OTP in attendance before and after the educational program presentation to obtain quantitative data that could be analyzed. The results demonstrated an increase in OTPs' understanding and confidence in the role of OT in managing cancer-related fatigue and appropriate interventions to implement when working with oncology patients who are managing cancer-related fatigue.

Publication Date

4-15-2024

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