Telehealth visits for lifestyle medicine less burdensome for cancer survivors
A lifestyle medicine program administered via telehealth appeared preferable to and less burdensome for cancer survivors than standard follow-up visits, according to study results presented at the virtual Oncology Nursing Society Congress.
“An oncology advanced nurse practitioner- and registered dietitian-led lifestyle medicine clinic complements the standard cancer follow-up visit by expanding upon evidence-based health behaviors counseling to empower patients and improve outcomes,” Loren Winters, MSN, ANP-BC, OCN, oncology nurse practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, said during a presentation.
Lifestyle and diet contribute to about one-third of all cancer cases in the United States, and nearly 70% of the nation’s cancer survivors are overweight or obese.
A healthy lifestyle has been shown to reduce risk for cancer recurrence, as well as mitigate other chronic illnesses — such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis — and improve quality of life.
“Oncology nurses share a key role in providing cancer-specific, evidence-based information and resources to aid in recovery after cancer treatment, as well as to promote health behaviors after cancer treatment,” Winters said. “Typical cancer follow-up visits are time-limited and often do not allow for a comprehensive lifestyle behaviors assessment and counseling.”
Members of the lifestyle medicine multidisciplinary team at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center developed a lifestyle medicine program intended for any patient with a cancer history. Any member of the cancer care team can refer a patient to the clinic, led by an advanced practice oncology nurse and oncology-registered dietitian.
Consultations emphasize educating patients about the use of whole-food, plant-based diets, regular physical activity, stress management, restorative sleep, positive social connections and the importance of avoiding dangerous substances.
The clinic also provides patients with free access to webinars, exercise videos, and referrals to other supportive care programs or specialists.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, all lifestyle medicine clinic visits took place via telehealth. Since then, patient feedback has been positive, Winters said.
A 52-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer described the “superb listening and reflection,” indicating she felt “heard and validated but still empowered to be strong and make changes.” A 47-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer said she found the consultation “helpful, specific and tailored” to her.
“Future directions include shared medical or group visits to improve the patient experience by providing an interactive setting in which patients can learn and inspire each other to adopt lasting health behavior change,” Winters said.
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Winters L, and Sullivan C. An advanced practice nurse- and registered dietitian-led lifestyle medicine clinic. Presented at: Oncology Nursing Society Congress (virtual meeting); April 20-29, 2021.
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