The current status of inpatient cancer rehabilitation provided by designated cancer hospitals in Japan

Objective: This survey was conducted to clarify the current status of inpatient cancer rehabilitation provided by designated cancer hospitals in Japan.

Methods: A survey questionnaire was sent to 427 designated cancer hospitals in Japan. Information was sought regarding whether inpatient cancer rehabilitation was provided by the center, and if so, whether respondents regarded such provision as satisfactory.

Results: Responses were obtained from 235/427 surveyed institutions (55.0%). Cancer rehabilitation was provided in inpatient settings by 97.4%. Two-thirds of respondents (67.7%) regarded inpatient cancer rehabilitation provision as still inadequate. The primary reasons claimed for this inadequacy were a lack of human resources, a lack of rehabilitation professionals with the requisite knowledge/skills and patients who would benefit from cancer rehabilitation present but not prescribed. The total number of rehabilitation staff was identified as associated factor of inadequate inpatient cancer rehabilitation in multivariate analysis (odds ratio = 0.979, 95% confidence interval = 0.96-1.00, P = 0.009).

Conclusions: In order to provide adequate cancer rehabilitation, a sufficient supply of rehabilitation staff, education and recognition of the need for cancer rehabilitation within oncology units are necessary.