Supporting The Knowledge Translation Of Exercise Recommendations For People With Bone Metastases Using An Experience-based Co-design Approach

People with bone metastases have historically been advised to limit exercise due to risk of adverse events, such as fracture. In 2022, the International Bone Metastases Exercise Working Group published evidence-informed recommendations stating regular exercise may improve physical function and quality of life in people with bone metastases, and the risk of skeletal events weighed against potential health benefits. However, published guidelines alone often fail to change clinical practice. PURPOSE: To collaborate with knowledge users (KU) to co-design knowledge translation (KT) products and a dissemination plan to support the uptake of the exercise recommendations for people with bone metastases. METHODS: An experienced-based co-design approach was used, collaborating with three KU groups: 1) patient/family partners; 2) oncology healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, allied health); and 3) community-based exercise professionals (physiotherapists, exercise physiologists). Through facilitated meetings, KT product ideas were generated, prioritized, and co-created and a dissemination strategy was discussed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine KUs participated in four engagement sessions (n = 10 patient/family partners, n = 9 healthcare providers, and n = 10 exercise professionals). The KT products prioritized for development were: 1) a patient education handout; 2) patient education videos; 3) a clinical communication tool; and 4) professional development materials for exercise professionals and healthcare providers. The dissemination plan will involve partnerships with target organizations (e.g., Canadian Cancer Society). CONCLUSIONS: Collaborating with KUs through experience-based co-design has enabled the development of KT products likely to be more useful and acceptable to the intended audience than those designed by researchers alone. Our KT products can support people with bone metastases to engage in exercise safely and increase the satisfaction of oncology healthcare providers and exercise professionals in what information and resources they can offer patients. With our product launch, we will evaluate the reach, use, and partnership indicators of the KT products and dissemination plan. Canadian Cancer Society and Michael Smith Health Research BC