Prehabilitation in cancer care: preparing people for treatment physically and mentally
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Prehabilitation is the process of enhancing an individual’s functional capacity by optimising their physical and mental health to prepare them for treatment. Prehabilitation is the first stage of the rehabilitation pathway and comprises pre-assessment, interventions and follow-up. It is designed to reduce the risk of the physical and psychological complications of cancer and its treatment, thereby improving patients’ ability to recover as well as their long-term outcomes.
This article highlights the principles of prehabilitation in cancer care and its benefits for patients, and explores the role nurses can play in delivering prehabilitation assessments and interventions and in encouraging positive behaviour change in their patients.
Who is this resource for?
Explains what the component is for
This resource is aimed at nurses and nursing support workers across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.
Why you should read this article
to enhance your awareness of the principles and benefits of prehabilitation in cancer care
to ascertain your role at each stage of prehabilitation: pre-assessment, interventions and follow-up
to better understand the behaviour change process and how you can encourage positive behaviour change
