A Delphi Study to Determine Rehabilitation Research Priorities for Older Adults with Cancer

Publication date: Available online 19 December 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Kathleen Doyle Lyons, Mary Vining Radomski, Catherine M. Alfano, Marsha Finkelstein, Alix G. Sleight, Timothy F. Marshall, Raymond McKenna, Jack B. Fu
ObjectiveTo solicit expert opinions and develop consensus around the research that is needed to improve cancer rehabilitation for older adults.DesignDelphi methods provided a structured process to elicit and prioritize research questions from national experts.SettingNational, web-based survey.ParticipantsThirty-two members of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine completed at least one of three investigator-developed surveys.InterventionsNot applicable.Main outcomesIn the first survey, participants identified up to five research questions that needed to be answered to improve cancer rehabilitation for older adults. In two subsequent surveys, participants viewed the compilation of questions, rated the importance of each question, and identified the five most important questions. This generated priority scores for each question. Consensus scores were created to describe the degree of agreement around the priority of each question.ResultsHighest priority research concerns the epidemiology and measurement of function and disability in older adult cancer survivors; the effects of cancer rehabilitation interventions on falls, disability, participation survival, costs, quality of care, and healthcare utilization; and testing models of care that facilitate referrals from oncology to rehabilitation providers as part of coordinated, multi-component care.ConclusionsA multi-pronged approach is needed to fill these gaps including targeted funding opportunities developed with an advisory panel of cancer rehabilitation experts, the development of a research network to facilitate novel collaborations and grant proposals, and coordinated efforts of clinical groups to advocate for funding, practice change, and policy change.



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