Raising Awareness of the Importance of Exercise Training in Solid Organ Transplant: A Description of a Canadian Knowledge Dissemination Project.
1School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
2Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
3BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
Meeting: 2017 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: C77
Keywords: Quality of life
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session C: Disparity in Access and Outcomes for Solid Organ Transplantation
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Monday, May 1, 2017
Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Hall D1
Introduction
Healthcare professionals are challenged by lack of knowledge of the evidence on optimal ways to assess and train solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates and recipients. Patients endorse lack of knowledge about exercise as being a main factor for their inactivity after transplant.
The objectives of this project were to 1) disseminate the evidence supporting exercise training in SOT to healthcare professionals, physicians and directors of transplant programs; 2) provide information on exercise to patients, their families and transplant advocacy groups; and 3) build a national network of healthcare professionals and researchers with an interest in exercise.
Methods
With oversight by a national steering committee, the key steps in implementing this dissemination project included 1) summarizing the research evidence on the effects of exercise in SOT; 2) on-site interactive presentations to the largest multi-organ transplant centers in Canada; 3) pre-visit site preparation including an online survey on additional information that the attendees would like to receive; 4) a patient-directed workshop and 5) development of web-based resources.
Results
Nine multi-organ transplant centres were visited across Canada. More than 280 healthcare professionals attended the on-site presentations. Evaluation ratings of the presentations ranged from good to excellent. A workshop was delivered for patients and their families (96 participants). A website was created with resources for healthcare professionals and patients, including videos and slides of the presentations.
Conclusion
Our dissemination project provided unique and sustainable opportunities for healthcare professionals to increase their knowledge and enhance their ability to apply the evidence in their practice. With increased knowledge, patients should be in a better position to advocate for improved access to rehabilitation. Our project provided opportunities to expand the network for exercise in SOT in Canada which itself will continue to translate new knowledge to the clinical practice community.
CITATION INFORMATION: Janaudis-Ferreira T, Mathur S, Blydt-Hansen T. Raising Awareness of the Importance of Exercise Training in Solid Organ Transplant: A Description of a Canadian Knowledge Dissemination Project. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Janaudis-Ferreira T, Mathur S, Blydt-Hansen T. Raising Awareness of the Importance of Exercise Training in Solid Organ Transplant: A Description of a Canadian Knowledge Dissemination Project. [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2017; 17 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/raising-awareness-of-the-importance-of-exercise-training-in-solid-organ-transplant-a-description-of-a-canadian-knowledge-dissemination-project/. Accessed May 12, 2025.« Back to 2017 American Transplant Congress