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An interdisciplinary e-learning intervention for professionals working with breast cancer survivors and chronic pain : a realist evaluation

Yaël Slaghmuylder (UGent) , Emelien Lauwerier (UGent) , Ann Van Hecke (UGent) , Geert Crombez (UGent) , Sam Schelfout (UGent) , Eline Naert (UGent) and Peter Pype (UGent)
(2025) DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION. 47(16). p.4275-4286
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Abstract
Purpose: Chronic pain is prevalent among breast cancer survivors. Bio-psychosocial factors interplay in its exacerbation and maintenance. Therefore, prevention and treatment require an interdisciplinary response and the integration of various approaches. To deliver this way of working, healthcare professionals may need training. We developed an e-learning intervention, aimed at increasing awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration in response to pain after cancer. We aimed to gain insight into the intervention's implementation, mechanisms, and outcomes through a realist evaluation. Methods: A mixed-methods pre- and post-test design with follow-up was used. Via questionnaires, professionals reported on the feasibility of the e-learning and their knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role in pain prevention and treatment. Six-month post-intervention, interviews were conducted to explore transferability in practice. Results: An interdisciplinary group of 22 professionals completed the intervention. Overall, e-learning was deemed a feasible format for training. An increase in confidence was found, whereas no changes were detected in knowledge and professional role. Configurations were outlined between these mechanisms and behaviors in practice, influenced by implementation processes and context-related factors. Conclusions: E-learning holds promise in stimulating knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role. In this, the value of asynchronous discussion forums, case-based exercises, practical tools, and models were emphasized.
Keywords
Continuous professional development, cancer survivorship, chronic pain management, e-learning, interdisciplinary, realist evaluation, PRIMARY-CARE, HEALTH-CARE, GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS, MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION, OUTCOMES, MODELS, GUIDE, TOOL

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MLA
Slaghmuylder, Yaël, et al. “An Interdisciplinary E-Learning Intervention for Professionals Working with Breast Cancer Survivors and Chronic Pain : A Realist Evaluation.” DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION, vol. 47, no. 16, 2025, pp. 4275–86, doi:10.1080/09638288.2024.2443045.
APA
Slaghmuylder, Y., Lauwerier, E., Van Hecke, A., Crombez, G., Schelfout, S., Naert, E., & Pype, P. (2025). An interdisciplinary e-learning intervention for professionals working with breast cancer survivors and chronic pain : a realist evaluation. DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION, 47(16), 4275–4286. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2443045
Chicago author-date
Slaghmuylder, Yaël, Emelien Lauwerier, Ann Van Hecke, Geert Crombez, Sam Schelfout, Eline Naert, and Peter Pype. 2025. “An Interdisciplinary E-Learning Intervention for Professionals Working with Breast Cancer Survivors and Chronic Pain : A Realist Evaluation.” DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION 47 (16): 4275–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2443045.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Slaghmuylder, Yaël, Emelien Lauwerier, Ann Van Hecke, Geert Crombez, Sam Schelfout, Eline Naert, and Peter Pype. 2025. “An Interdisciplinary E-Learning Intervention for Professionals Working with Breast Cancer Survivors and Chronic Pain : A Realist Evaluation.” DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION 47 (16): 4275–4286. doi:10.1080/09638288.2024.2443045.
Vancouver
1.
Slaghmuylder Y, Lauwerier E, Van Hecke A, Crombez G, Schelfout S, Naert E, et al. An interdisciplinary e-learning intervention for professionals working with breast cancer survivors and chronic pain : a realist evaluation. DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION. 2025;47(16):4275–86.
IEEE
[1]
Y. Slaghmuylder et al., “An interdisciplinary e-learning intervention for professionals working with breast cancer survivors and chronic pain : a realist evaluation,” DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION, vol. 47, no. 16, pp. 4275–4286, 2025.
@article{01JGXAXPTYZN9MBES0S6D0Z6PR,
  abstract     = {{Purpose: Chronic pain is prevalent among breast cancer survivors. Bio-psychosocial factors interplay in its exacerbation and maintenance. Therefore, prevention and treatment require an interdisciplinary response and the integration of various approaches. To deliver this way of working, healthcare professionals may need training. We developed an e-learning intervention, aimed at increasing awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration in response to pain after cancer. We aimed to gain insight into the intervention's implementation, mechanisms, and outcomes through a realist evaluation.
Methods: A mixed-methods pre- and post-test design with follow-up was used. Via questionnaires, professionals reported on the feasibility of the e-learning and their knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role in pain prevention and treatment. Six-month post-intervention, interviews were conducted to explore transferability in practice.
Results: An interdisciplinary group of 22 professionals completed the intervention. Overall, e-learning was deemed a feasible format for training. An increase in confidence was found, whereas no changes were detected in knowledge and professional role. Configurations were outlined between these mechanisms and behaviors in practice, influenced by implementation processes and context-related factors.
Conclusions: E-learning holds promise in stimulating knowledge, beliefs, confidence, and professional role. In this, the value of asynchronous discussion forums, case-based exercises, practical tools, and models were emphasized.}},
  author       = {{Slaghmuylder, Yaël and Lauwerier, Emelien and Van Hecke, Ann and Crombez, Geert and Schelfout, Sam and Naert, Eline and Pype, Peter}},
  issn         = {{0963-8288}},
  journal      = {{DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION}},
  keywords     = {{Continuous professional development,cancer survivorship,chronic pain management,e-learning,interdisciplinary,realist evaluation,PRIMARY-CARE,HEALTH-CARE,GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS,MANAGEMENT,COMMUNICATION,OUTCOMES,MODELS,GUIDE,TOOL}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{16}},
  pages        = {{4275--4286}},
  title        = {{An interdisciplinary e-learning intervention for professionals working with breast cancer survivors and chronic pain : a realist evaluation}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2443045}},
  volume       = {{47}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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