P15.15.A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS’ PERSPECTIVES ON DELIVERING REHABILITATION TO ADULTS WITH HIGH GRADE GLIOMA

Abstract BACKGROUND While rehabilitation therapy can improve functional outcomes and quality of life of patients with high grade glioma, there is minimal literature available to guide recommendations when working with this group of patients in a rehabilitation setting. The aim of this study was to understand the challenges and opportunities that healthcare professionals report about delivering rehabilitation to patients with glioblastoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS To meet study aims, we performed focus groups with healthcare professionals in an outpatient community-based rehabilitation setting in the Midwest region of the United States. Healthcare professionals with and without experience working with patients with high-grade glioma were recruited. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Eight focus groups with a total of 29 healthcare professionals were conducted. Six focus groups (n = 21) were conducted with healthcare professionals who self-identified as having experience working with patients with high grade glioma, while the remaining two focus groups (n = 8) were conducted with healthcare professionals who identified as not experienced with this patient group. Ten participants were occupational therapists, ten were physical therapists, six were speech and language pathologists, three were other healthcare professionals. Mean age was 35.3 years (age range 24-61 years). Five participants were male (17.2%). The overarching notion resulting from the analysis was outlining Factors influencing therapy process. Within that six themes were identified: (1) Unique challenges in the context of high-grade brain tumor, (2) Awareness of prognosis, (3) Communication with oncology team, (4) Role of rehabilitation during end-of-life, (5) Impact on therapists, and (6) Role of family. CONCLUSION Healthcare professionals outlined the emotional and professional impact and challenges related to working with patients with high grade glioma. Since healthcare professionals who participated in this study were not based in a neuro-oncology setting, they were able to compare their experience of working with patients with high grade glioma with that of delivering rehabilitation to patients with other conditions, such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. The study brings insight into the role of rehabilitation therapy from the clinicians’ perspective and the findings will help with the development of rehabilitation guidelines.