Exploring health professionals' viewpoint of provision of nutrition advice for women with endometrial cancer.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to delivery and uptake of nutrition advice to women diagnosed with endometrial cancer from a health professionals' viewpoint. METHODS: Fifteen semi-structured interviews with health professionals with experience in providing healthcare to women diagnosed with endometrial cancer were audio-recorded and transcribed. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Topics included high weight as a risk factor for endometrial cancer, nutrition information sources, and barriers and facilitators to delivering nutrition advice in clinical care. RESULTS: Four themes were identified. The first three exist as barriers to women receiving nutrition advice-how to navigate conversations about high weight, access to limited resourcing and health professionals feeling powerless to overcome system influences. The fourth theme identified a community approach need to facilitate a supportive environment and share knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: This study, through the lens of health professionals, highlights barriers to the delivery and uptake of nutrition advice at the patient, community and system levels. Enhancing survivorship for women after the diagnosis of endometrial cancer may be enabled by further understanding of how to overcome barriers and promote facilitators. Communication and partnership with women are imperative to achieving this.