Therapeutic radiographers’ delivery of health behaviour change advice to those living with and beyond cancer: a qualitative study

Objectives: Therapeutic radiographers (TRs) are well placed to deliver health behaviour change advice to those living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). However, there is limited research on the opinions of TRs around delivering such advice to those LWBC. This study aimed to explore TRs’ practices and facilitators in delivering advice on physical activity, healthy eating, alcohol intake, smoking and weight management.

Setting and participants: Fifteen UK-based TRs took part in a telephone interview using a semi‐structured interview guide. Data was analysed using the framework analysis method.

Results: Emergent themes highlighted that TRs are mainly aware of the benefits of healthy behaviours in managing radiotherapy treatment related side effects, with advice provision lowest for healthy eating and physical activity. Participants identified themselves as well placed to deliver advice on improving behaviours to those LWBC, however reported a lack of knowledge as a limiting factor to doing so. The TRs reported training and knowledge as key facilitators to the delivery of advice, with a preference for online training.

Conclusions: There is a need for education resources, clear referral pathways and in particular training for TRs on delivering physical activity and healthy eating advice to those LWBC.