Paediatric Oncology: Needs, Barriers, and Facilitators Towards Physiotherapy Services of Parents of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Date: Saturday January 17^th, 2026
Time: 16:00 (CET) | 09:00 (CT) | 10:00 (EST) | 17:00 (EET)
Speaker: Paula Ospina, PT, PhDc
Link to Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84684160852?pwd=Q2vuHTTidhwlDd5AgdGafOWv6D7Xbd.1. Meeting ID: 846 8416 0852. Passcode: 567166

Session Information: 
One of the reasons many children with cancer do not attend rehabilitation services is due to parents’ and patients’ choice. A cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia to explore parents’ (1) views on physiotherapy service delivery for their child, (2) perspectives on barriers and facilitators, (3) preferred timing to introduce physiotherapy services, and (4) views on virtual physiotherapy services. Survey questions were designed based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), and responses were mapped into the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation–Behaviour Change (COM-B) Model. A total of 20 parents completed the survey, and seven participated in semi-structured interviews. Results showed that while all parents are willing for their child to access physiotherapy if physical challenges are present, some resources need to be in place to facilitate access to the service. While different barriers were identified, many parents shared viable options to mitigate barriers to accessing rehabilitation services.

Speaker:
Paula Ospina is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, where she is conducting research in pediatric oncology physiotherapy. Her research focuses on exploring the benefits of physiotherapy for children and adolescents with cancer, with or at risk of developing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, Paula is exploring the use of e-Health to address existing barriers and facilitators to accessing physiotherapy services in pediatric oncology