Alexandra Finless

Ms. Alexandra Finless


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 March 2025 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AFAlexandra Finless
Alexandra Finless
MBMannat Bansal
Mannat Bansal
TCThomas Christensen
Thomas Christensen
S.Nicole Culos-ReedS.Nicole Culos-Reed
S.Nicole Culos-Reed
CCColleen A. Cuthbert
Colleen A. Cuthbert
Melanie KeatsMelanie Keats
Melanie Keats
Exercise is an evidence-based strategy shown to reduce the negative side effects associated with cancer treatment for individuals living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). Healthcare providers (HCPs) play a critical role in promoting exercise for these individuals. Notwithstanding, several barriers hinder HCPs’ ability to discuss and support exercise in clinical practice. EXCEL is an exercise intervention designed to address health disparities in access to exercise oncology resources for rural/remote individuals LWBC, including a referral pathway for HCPs to use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate HCP experiences using the EXCEL exercise referral pathway. We employed an interpretive description methodology, using semi-structured interviews to assess HCP experiences with EXCEL. Overall, HCPs felt empowered to refer to exercise when they were supported in doing so. The findings highlighted (1) a need for a better understanding of the role of exercise professionals and their integration into cancer care; (2) the need for efficient referral systems including embedding referrals into existing health care electronic record systems; and (3) sharing patient feedback with exercise oncology programs back to the HCPs to drive continued referrals.