| Purpose: Due to the growing evidence supporting the benefits of exercise for breast cancer patients, clinical practice guidelines have begun to include exercise in treatment recommendations by physicians for this population. Prior the current study, it was unknown whether physicians were recommending exercise to breast cancer patients and factors that may either facilitate or hinder a recommendation. Method: Thirty-six physicians, with a medical degree (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy degree (D.O.), completed a survey developed for the study. Results: A One-Sample Chi-Square test found that some physicians are recommending exercise to breast cancer patients. In addition, multiple nonparametric statistics found significant associations between exercise recommendation and agreement with clinical practice guidelines, age of the patient, and stage of breast cancer. Other important findings determined physicians' feelings toward exercise may be a facilitator for a recommendation while no association was found between exercise recommendation and utilization of clinical practice guidelines. Discussion: The researcher discusses how the findings may be relevant for health psychologists working with physicians and patients diagnosed with breast cancer as well as the medical field at large. Clinical implications of the study along with limitations and future directions are also considered. |
