Study of Clinic-delivered Physical Activity Referrals to Cancer Survivors

Background: Cancer survivors have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and have low physical activity levels. Physical inactivity is one modifiable risk factor for CVD, and increased physical activity has shown a cardioprotective effect on lowering CVD risk. The objective of ActivityLink is to use an electronic referral (e-referral) implementation program for clinic staff to refer survivors to an in-person and a virtual physical activity program. Methods: Participants in this study will include clinic staff and patients. Investigators will first conduct interviews with clinic staff and patients, followed by usability testing of a referral system with staff. The study team will then beta-test two rounds of testing using Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) Cycles for clinic staff to refer patients in the clinic. Quantitative data and qualitative interviews will be collected following each PDSA cycle, with refinements made based on feedback. Outcomes: The proposed study addresses a critical need to implement physical activity referrals into routine cancer survivorship visits.