Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42566459›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Proposing the use of a physiotherapist navigator in an acute cancer care setting in Ontario: A nationwide survey using a modified Delphi approach.

Holly Edward, Danielle Lawrence, Alexander Grant, Alicia Page, Luciana Macedo, Sarah Wojkowski, Som D Mukherjee, Jenna Smith-Turchyn

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Holly EdwardSchool of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0151-6311
Danielle LawrenceSchool of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8961-2957
Alexander GrantOncology Division, Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Alicia PageSchool of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Luciana MacedoSchool of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Sarah WojkowskiSchool of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Som D MukherjeeOncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Jenna Smith-TurchynSchool of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo engage health care providers in Canada to identify the roles, tasks, processes, assessments, and triaging decisions for a Physiotherapist (PT) Navigator role that will be implemented and evaluated in a future trial.

methodsA two-round, online, modified reactive Delphi study was used. Any licensed health care practitioner in Canada who works with individuals with or beyond cancer was eligible to participate. Round 1 identified qualitative feedback on role domains to guide role improvement. Qualitative feedback was examined in duplicate using content analysis. Round 2 identified quantitative feedback to gather numerical data to establish consensus. Quantitative survey feedback was analysed using descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation. Items were added to the role description if identified by ≥10% of respondents, and 75% was the threshold to define consensus. Lastly, a consensus meeting including end users was held to consider priority items and utility of role translation into clinical practice.

resultsConsensus on the PT Navigator role description was achieved following the two survey rounds (Round One; n = 34, Round Two; n = 18). Four domains were identified to define the role: process, assessment, triaging decisions, and duties and responsibilities. A figure visualizing the PT Navigator role was generated. Changes to the role after survey feedback included increasing appointment times with the PT Navigator, longer duration between follow-ups, patient self-referral, and additional objective testing. Consensus meeting feedback considered the variability in follow-up depending on different treatment timelines and an emphasis on promoting self-management strategies. Perceived usefulness of the role was high (mean 9.19/10; SD 2.12).

conclusionsThis modified Delphi study identified key domains that would inform development of a comprehensive PT Navigator role working with cancer patients. The role offers a novel approach to promote routine assessment and early intervention, with the aim towards integrating PTs meaningfully within cancer care settings in Canada.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsPhysical TherapistsDelphi TechniqueHumansOntarioSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID42566459
PMCPMC13450761

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.