International Survey of Pediatric Oncologists' Beliefs and Communication Practices Regarding Symptom Self-Monitoring by Childhood Cancer Survivors.
JCO Oncol Pract
; 19(5): e650-e659, 2023 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36800566
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Childhood cancer survivors report self-monitoring for and worrying about symptoms of disease recurrence and secondary cancers, although symptom-related worry is associated with poorer health-related quality of life. This survey captured pediatric oncologists' beliefs and communication practices regarding symptom self-monitoring for childhood cancer survivors.METHODS:
Using a closed-loop snowball sampling technique, pediatric oncologists completed an online survey regarding the importance of symptom self-monitoring for off-therapy patients, the degree to which symptom self-monitoring was perceived to cause stress and worry, and communication practices.RESULTS:
196 pediatric oncologists (White [78%]; female [64%]; Mage = 47 years) from every continent except Antarctica participated. Oncologists believed it is important for off-therapy patients to self-monitor for symptoms of cancer recurrence (90%) and treatment late effects (94%), although some noted that recurrence (30%) and late effects (55%) are typically detected by routine surveillance before symptoms appear. Oncologists varied in their beliefs that off-therapy patients do (31%) or do not (31%) worry unnecessarily about symptoms of recurrence. Two thirds (62%) of oncologists reported often/always discussing with off-therapy patients which symptoms could indicate cancer recurrence, whereas fewer than half (43%) often/always discussed which symptoms were unlikely to indicate recurrence. Oncologists identified a need for education regarding how to communicate around symptom self-monitoring and the potential utility of a screening tool to identify those who worry excessively.CONCLUSION:
Despite nearly universal belief that their off-therapy patients should self-monitor for symptoms of disease recurrence and late effects, a substantial proportion of pediatric oncologists do not counsel patients on symptom self-monitoring. Since nearly one-third believe that off-therapy patients worry unnecessarily about symptoms of recurrence, improving patient education regarding which symptoms are and are not medically concerning could decrease stress and improve health-related quality of life for pediatric cancer survivors.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Oncologistas
/
Sobreviventes de Câncer
/
Neoplasias
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
JCO Oncol Pract
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Canadá