Improving family grief outcomes: A scoping review of family-based interventions before and after the death of a child.

BACKGROUND: Experiencing the illness and death of a child is a traumatic experience for the parents and the child's siblings. However, knowledge regarding effective grief interventions targeting the whole family is limited, including how to integrate age-appropriate support for siblings. AIM: We aimed to synthesize the empirical literature regarding grief interventions that target the whole family before and/or after the death of a child. DESIGN: A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus covering January 1998-May 2022. We included studies describing any type of structured intervention targeting the whole family (i.e. parents and siblings) before or/and after the death of a child (below 18 years), with pre-post assessments of grief-related symptoms in the family as an outcome. RESULTS: After removal of duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts of 4078 publications and identified 30 publications for full-text screening. None of the studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were excluded because they either did not target the whole family or did not target families who had lost a child below 18 years. Bereavement camps were a popular form of family intervention, but none were evaluated in a pre-post design. No grief interventions offering support pre-death were found. CONCLUSIONS: There is great need for research to improve bereavement outcomes for the entire family and to potentially integrate this in pediatric palliative care.

The potential of structured active play for social and personal development in preschoolers during cancer treatment: A qualitative RePlay study.

AIM: To explore the potential of a structured active play intervention to promote social and personal development in preschoolers during cancer treatment. DESIGN: A hermeneutic-phenomenological inspired explorative study. METHODS: Participant observations were conducted on 15 consecutively sampled children (aged 1-5 years) from April 2021 to April 2022. Observations were written as narrative scenic descriptions from field notes and were analysed inspired by hermeneutic-phenomenological analysis and using a thematic analysis structure. RESULTS: Observations were carried out during 67 group or individual structured active play sessions, resulting in 129 scenic descriptions. Observations of the children's emotional, verbal and bodily expressions and social interactions resulted in three main themes: (1) wanting to play, (2) gaining confidence in movement and (3) being part of a group. The findings showed how children, irrespective of age and the severity of their illness, wanted to play and expressed joy of movement. The children's daily physical state fluctuated and influenced their motivation to participate as well as their confidence in their physical abilities. Through structured active play and with support from their parents and healthcare professionals, the children had successful movement experiences and regained confidence in movement, supporting their personal development. Playing together with other children and accompanied by their parents, healthcare professionals supported the children's opportunities to practice social skills, such as turn-taking, waiting and taking charge. Familiarity, recognizability and fun were key motivational components for the children. CONCLUSION: Participating in structured active play during treatment has the potential to promote personal and social development in preschoolers with cancer. Parents play a crucial role in supporting the participation of their children. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The healthcare system and healthcare professionals should provide opportunities for preschoolers with cancer and other illnesses to participate in structured active play. IMPACT: What problem did the study address? Cancer treatment affects the development of preschoolers' gross motor-, personal and social skills-essential skills in childhood development. This study aimed to explore the potential for social and personal development through structured active play. What were the main findings? This study found that preschoolers want to play, and participating in structured active play can support their personal and social development through regained confidence in movement and becoming part of a group. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The research impacts healthcare professionals working with preschoolers in the healthcare system. Creating opportunities for preschoolers to participate in structured active play throughout treatment can promote personal and social development. REPORTING METHOD: The study adheres to relevant EQUATOR guidelines and is reported according to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Participants in this study were preschoolers with cancer and their parents. No public or patient involvement in the design of this study. TRIAL AND PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04672681. Registered on December 17, 2020. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04672681.

The experiences of grandparents involved in the home-based end-of-life care of their grandchild with cancer: A qualitative secondary data analysis.

While grandparents are often a valuable resource in home-based pediatric end-of-life care, they may also experience psychological consequences when faced with their grandchild's illness and death. In this qualitative study, we performed semi-structured interviews with seven bereaved grandparents of four children with cancer who received home-based end-of-life care and died at home at age <18. Through qualitative content analysis we identified the overarching theme: "Navigating complex and unclear roles to support the family" and five themes: (1) Providing comfort and support; (2) Balancing and adapting involvement; (3) Worrying silently; (4) Managing difficult emotions; and (5) Calling for support and understanding. The findings underline the often conflicting roles that grandparents undertake of providing support while respecting parents' autonomy and putting aside their own emotional reactions. Involving grandparents in pediatric end-of-life care may enhance family resources, but should also consider grandparents' perspectives and need for support.

School absence legislation governing in Norway, Sweden and Denmark for children with chronic illness in compulsory education-A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Health and education are interrelated and influence social, economic and lifestyle perspectives. Children with chronic illnesses experience barriers in the educational system regarding school attendance and social isolation. Gaining knowledge of compulsory education and how children with chronic illnesses are supported is crucial for the implications of future education policy and legislation in Scandinavia. This study compares Scandinavian legislation frameworks on compulsory education, chronic illness and school absence to form the basis of future research on education for children with chronic illness. METHODS: The study uses a comparative approach to explore the support of children with chronic illnesses in compulsory education across Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The documents included are 3 education acts and 15 secondary documents, which are notes and guidelines for the education acts. The data were analysed using a manifest content analysis. FINDINGS: We found four categories and six subcategories: (1) school obligation and rights; (2) chronic illness; (3) school absence: (a) categorisation of absence; (b) registration of absence; and (c) sanction; and (4) education support: (a) Hospital school support; (b) Home instruction support; and (c) technological support. CONCLUSION: This study's findings demonstrate the similarities and differences in the Scandinavian compulsory education legislation and guidelines regarding chronic illness and school absence. We found similarities across the countries regarding chronic illness and school absence. Still, the findings showed differences in the systematic registration of school absence and requirements for attendance with compulsory education in Norway and Denmark compared with compulsory schooling in Sweden. This knowledge will inform and enlighten future discussions and decisions in education and public health. The results can contribute to awareness of the opportunities for educational support and perspectives about education for children with chronic illnesses. Future research focusing on the experience of children with chronic illness and educational support is needed.

Child-centered communication interventions in pediatric oncology: A scoping review and proposed new communication model.

Child-centered communication in pediatric oncology can be challenging. We aimed to review communication interventions with children about cancer treatment and prognosis to identify potentially effective child-centered communication models and approaches. We updated a previous review on communication interventions in oncology and searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and PsychINFO for studies indexed between October 2019 up to October 2022. We further searched for ongoing studies on ClinicalTrials.gov. Communication interventions targeting pediatric oncology patients (below 18 years), with outcomes of communication, psychological symptoms or satisfaction in the target population were eligible. We identified 685 titles/abstracts, screened the full text of 34 studies and included only one published study and two ongoing studies. The published study tested a communication tool to help clinicians inform adolescents about treatment options and facilitate shared decision-making. No communication models were identified. We drew on knowledge from existing studies and guidelines to develop a new child-centered communication model.

Perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity in childhood cancer survivors and their parents: A large-scale interview study from the International PACCS Study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) may reduce risks of late effects in childhood cancer survivors, yet many have low activity levels. Using the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for Children and Youths (ICF-CY) as a conceptual framework, we aimed to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to PA in young survivors and their parents. DESIGN/METHODS: We conducted individual, semi-structured interviews with 63 survivors, aged 9-18 years, ≥1-year off treatment, and 68 parents, recruited from three pediatric oncology departments in Norway and Denmark. Interviews were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to PA, which were mapped onto the ICF-CY model components; body function/structures, activities, participation, and environmental and personal factors. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the survivors described how treatment-related impairments of bodily functions (e.g., fatigue, physical weakness, reduced lung capacity) caused physical limitations, reducing opportunities to participate in PA, especially team sports and school physical education. This resulted in a perceived ability gap between survivors and peers, reducing motivation for PA. These PA barriers were moderated by environmental factors that facilitated or further hindered PA participation (family, peer, and school support). Similarily, personal factors also facilitated (acceptance, motivation, goal setting) or hindered (anxiety, low motivation, and lack of trust) PA participation. CONCLUSION: Treatment-related long-term or late effects represented significant barriers to PA as their functional consequences reduced survivors' capacities and capabilities to be active. Environmental and personal factors acting as facilitators or further barriers to PA were identified. Applying the ICF-CY framework in clinical practice could help to enable PA participation.

Intersectoral collaboration in home-based end-of-life pediatric cancer care: A qualitative multiple-case study integrating families' and professionals' experiences.

BACKGROUND: Many children and adolescents with incurable cancer and their families prefer to receive end-of-life care and to die at home. This implies a transition of care from hospital to home and presupposes the establishment of a well-functioning collaboration between the family and professionals across health care sectors. AIM: To identify and explore key elements of home-based end-of-life care collaboration for children with cancer, as experienced by their parents and grandparents and the hospital- and community-based professionals involved. DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative multiple-case study. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and written responses to open-ended questions, and analyzed inductively across cases using qualitative content analysis. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Cases comprised a criterion sample of five children (aged <18 years), who died of cancer at home. Cases were represented by the children's bereaved parents (n = 8) and grandparents (n = 7), and community-based professionals (n = 16). Also, hospital-based professionals (n = 10) were interviewed about the children's end-of-life care through group interviews. RESULTS: We identified five main themes, describing key elements of the end-of-life collaboration: Establishing the collaboration, Bolstering family life, Elucidating organization and integration, Managing challenges, and Closing the collaboration. These themes all came under the overarching theme: A mutual trust-based collaboration. On this basis, we developed the "Home-Based Pediatric End-of-Life Care Model for Children with Cancer." CONCLUSIONS: By highlighting key elements in the family-centered, intersectoral and interprofessional end-of-life care collaboration, our "Home-Based Pediatric End-of-Life Care Model for Children with Cancer" offers a framework for further optimization of home-based end-of-life care services for children with cancer and their families.

Socioeconomic position and maintenance therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic differences in survival among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been reported in high-income countries and there is an unmet need for strategies to identify vulnerable patient subgroups. Reported differences in survival for children from families with different socioeconomic positions seem to arise when starting maintenance therapy. This could reflect reduced physician's compliance or family adherence to maintenance therapy. METHODS: This nationwide cohort study with extensive monitoring of systemic methotrexate (MTX)/6-mercaptopurine (6MP) dosing and metabolite levels, retrospectively investigated 173 Danish children treated according to The Nordic Society for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology ALL2008 protocol from 2008 to 2016. RESULTS: Significantly lower prescribed doses of MTX and 6MP were seen in the children in families with short parental education (short vs. medium vs. higher education: mMTX: 13.8, 16.2, and 18.6 mg/m2 /week; p < .01; m6MP: 47.4, 64.9, and 66.1 mg/m2 /day; p = .03) or parents unemployed/not in workforce (unemployed/not in workforce vs. mixed vs. at work: mMTX: 15.0, 19.9, and 17.2 mg/m2 /week; p < .01; m6MP: 54.8, 72.0, and 65.1 mg/m2 /day; p < .01). When assessing family adherence by analyzing MTX and 6MP metabolite levels, including per prescribed dose of MTX and 6MP, we found no significant differences by levels of parental education, affiliation to work market, or income (p > .05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that inferior physician compliance to protocol recommendations on drug dosage rather than families' adherence to therapy may contribute to the association between socioeconomic position and cure rates in childhood ALL, although precise mechanisms remain to be explored.

The gap between expectations and reality: A qualitative study of psychosocial challenges of young childhood cancer survivors from the PACCS study.

OBJECTIVE: In this sub-study from the 'PACCS' study, we explored the psychosocial experiences of children and adolescents in everyday life post-cancer treatment and the possible factors that can moderate these experiences. METHODS: This is a qualitative explorative study using semi-structured interviews with 43 childhood cancer survivors between the ages of nine and 18 from Norway and Denmark. We conducted a secondary thematic analysis using Malterud's systematic text condensation. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified: 'The post-treatment gap between expectations and reality' comprised two subthemes: (1) lack of mastery and feeling different and (2) lack of understanding and acceptance. The second main theme, 'Managing the gap', comprised three subthemes: (1) information and knowledge, (2) adjustments and adaptions and (3) social support and openness. The findings reveal that the psychosocial challenges resulted from the remaining ability gap(s). Measures such as tailored information, school adjustments and social support were potential dynamic factors affecting the gap(s) positively or negatively. Psychosocial challenges post-treatment are experiences of lack of acceptance and understanding from others. CONCLUSION: To safeguard a positive transition back to everyday life, health care providers should support the survivors' psychosocial care, including getting back to school and re-entering social interactions.

Twelve tips for postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning.

Based on developing, implementing, and evaluating postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning, we have written these twelve tips for health education planners who wish to apply case-based learning in the clinical setting. Interprofessional case-based learning engages participants in a structured manner towards uncovering decisions processes and patterns of action that resemble the clinical reality in which various healthcare professionals handle multifaceted tasks related to the optimal patient treatment. Postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning has the potential to break down traditional hierarchical structures as interactions generate respectful behaviour. We present two models of case-based learning to assist in standardising, structuring, and systematising postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning. We have created 12 practical tips for the design, implementation, and evaluation of successful postgraduate interprofessional case-based learning integrated into the existing clinical setting.

Childhood cancer survivors' and their parents' experiences with participation in a physical and social intervention during cancer treatment: A RESPECT study.

AIMS: This study explores experiences of childhood cancer survivors and their parents with a combined physical and social activity intervention during treatment, including how the survivors and their parents perceive physical activity post-treatment. DESIGN: A process evaluation using semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Using a criterion-sampling strategy, 18 Danish childhood cancer survivors (aged 11-18 years) and their parents were interviewed from September 2019 through May 2020. Data analysis used an inductive thematic approach focused on meaning. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) being physically active during hospitalization; (2) peers as motivators and (3) physical activity post-treatment. During hospitalization, daily motivation to do physical activity was dependent on the daily well-being, that is, presence of the side effects from the child's treatment. Healthy classmates provided distraction, reduced loneliness and promoted normality for those hospitalized. For most of the survivors, their healthy peers provided motivation for being physically active during treatment. When surplus energy was lacking, some survivors preferred doing physical activity alone with a professional. Those who were physically active in the hospital sustained being physically active post-treatment while their parents continued seeking advice about appropriate activity levels. CONCLUSION: Childhood cancer survivors and their parents benefited from the intervention which also provided guidance to remaining physically active post-treatment. This was particularly true for the participants with leukaemia. IMPACT: Healthcare professionals should support children with cancer to be physically active during hospitalization. Including social and physical components in their care plan and being aware of individual preferences is pivotal to improving the survivors' level of physical and social well-being during and post-treatment. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The participants were involved in designing the interview guides to ensure that the interview guides were understandable for the participants to provide rich descriptions of their experiences with a physical and social activity intervention during hospitalization.

Socioeconomic position and prediagnostic health care contacts in children with cancer in Denmark: a nationwide register study.

BACKGROUND: While underlying mechanisms and pathways of social inequalities in cancer survival have been extensively examined in adults, this is less so for children with cancer. Hypothesized mechanisms include prediagnostic utilization of and navigation through the health care system, which may differ by socioeconomic resources of the families. In this nationwide register-based study we investigated the association between measures of family socioeconomic position in relation to prediagnostic health care contacts and stage of disease at diagnosis in children with cancer in Denmark. METHODS: We identified all children diagnosed with a cancer at ages 0-15 years in 1998-2016 (N = 3043) from the Danish Childhood Cancer Registry. We obtained comprehensive information on measures of socioeconomic position, parental health and prediagnostic contacts to both general practitioners and hospitals 24 months prior to diagnosis from various national registries. We fitted multivariable conditional logistic regression models for the association of family socioeconomic and health-related variables with firstly, frequent health care contacts and secondly, advanced stage. RESULTS: We found higher odds ratios (OR) of frequent both overall and emergency health care contacts in the last 3 months before diagnosis in children from households with short parental education and mixed affiliation to work market, when compared to children with high family socioeconomic position. Further, children of parents with depression or of non-Western origin, respectively, had higher OR for frequent overall and emergency contacts. We found no association between socioeconomic position, parental health and stage of disease. CONCLUSION: Families with socioeconomic disadvantage, non-Western origin or depression more frequently utilize prediagnostic health care services, both generally and in the acute setting, indicating that some disadvantaged families may struggle to navigate the health care system when their child is sick. Reassuringly, this was not reflected in disparities in stage at diagnosis. In order to improve the diagnostic process and potentially reduce health care contacts, attention and support should be given to families with a high number of health care contacts over a short period of time.

Living with the cerebellar mutism syndrome: long-term challenges of the diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: After posterior fossa tumour surgery, up to 39% of children experience postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) characterized by mutism and other motor and cognitive impairments. There is a lack of knowledge on the patient-reported challenges and long-term needs. Consequently, no specific recommendations exist for rehabilitative and supportive interventions for patients with CMS. The aims of this study were to explore the patients' experiences related to the sequelae of CMS, to identify challenges and needs regarding support and rehabilitation in the period of growing from child to adult and to add perspectives for future developments of supportive care and rehabilitative guidelines. METHODS: Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with young adults diagnosed with CMS as children. A thematic analysis identified four themes describing challenges impacting aspects of the participants' lives. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified and highlight the rehabilitative need for focus on verbal and non-verbal communication skills in addition to the physical impairments. We found that brain tumour survivors with CMS can benefit from social and educational rehabilitation, straightforward and truthful information, support in structuring their everyday lives and increased public knowledge of CMS. CONCLUSION: Children with CMS face a variety of challenges affecting many aspects of their everyday lives. They should be entitled to the elements of a current rehabilitation initiative for childhood cancer to support patients' social disability and educational decline. Finally, we identified a need for an official information publication.

Effects of a physical activity program from diagnosis on cardiorespiratory fitness in children with cancer: a national non-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Children with cancer experience impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function during and after treatment restricting their possibilities to engage in social activities including sport, leisure activities, and school. The objectives were to determine the effects of classmate-supported, controlled, supervised, in-hospital, physical activity program to preserve cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function from time of diagnosis in children with cancer. METHODS: National non-randomized controlled trial including schoolchildren aged 6-18 years at diagnosis treated with chemo-/radiotherapy. We included 120 of 128 eligible patients (94%) in the intervention group (62.5% boys, 11.2 ± 3.1 years) from East Denmark and 58 patients in the control group (57% boys, 11.0 ± 3.2 years) from West Denmark. Eight children from the control group withdrew from participation. The groups were comparable in anthropometrics and cancer diagnoses (p > 0.05). The intervention consisted of (i) supervised in-hospital physical activity from diagnosis and throughout intensive treatment, (ii) 90-min general educational session on cancer and therapy in the child's school class, and (iii) selection of two classmates as ambassadors who took turns to support the child's physical training during the daytime. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, mL/min/kg) at 6 months after diagnosis (sex, age, diagnosis adjusted). Secondary outcomes were sit-to-stand, timed-up-and-go, handgrip strength, and balance test scores. RESULTS: Ambassadors were identified for all, and 2542 individual and 621 group training sessions were held. VO2peak deteriorated over time in the control group (- 0.17 [95% CI - 0.32 to - 0.02] per week, p = 0.02), but not in the intervention group (p = 0.14). At 6 months from diagnosis, VO2peak was higher in the intervention group (29.6 ± 5.6 mL/kg/min) than in the control group (22.1 ± 5.6 mL/kg/min) (p = 0.01), and the intervention group had a better physical function at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Peer-supported, supervised, in-hospital, physical activity is safe and feasible in children with cancer during treatment. Further, the results suggest that the intervention might mitigate impairments in cardiorespiratory fitness during treatment in children with cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was prospectively registered on the 11 January 2013. Clinicaltrial.gov NCT01772849 and NCT01772862 .

Everyday life challenges among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An in-depth qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: As survival rates increase, growing numbers of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors are at risk for somatic and psychosocial late effects. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors represent a distinct and vulnerable group. This study aimed to explore how AYA survivors of childhood ALL experience everyday life after cancer while adjusting to the potential impact of prior disease and treatment. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were performed with survivors aged 15-22 years. Criterion-based homogenous purposive sampling was used to identify similarities within the group. Data were analyzed using an inductive, thematic approach. RESULTS: Data saturation occurred after 18 interviews. Identified themes included the post-chemo body, negotiating identities, and disruption. More than 80% reported physical or cognitive late effects, but survivors adapted to these and had a positive view on own health. However, a co-existing experience of frailty persisted. Social disruption during treatment had a negative impact on social relations even years following cure. Identity issues revolved around the paradox of seeking recognition for their cancer-related experiences, while also wanting to be treated like everyone else. Some participants aged 18-22 years experienced delayed reactions and a new, but unmet, need to process the past. CONCLUSIONS: AYA survivors of childhood ALL adapt well to their new life situations, but many experience ongoing cancer-related disruptions and experience not being fully understood. We suggest exploration and verbalization of these issues alongside somatic follow-up around the age of 16-18 years to support the AYA survivors during their transition into adulthood.

Parent's perspectives of the pathway to diagnosis of childhood cancer: a matter of diagnostic triage.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis is crucial for the treatment of childhood cancer as it in some cases can prevent progression of disease and improve prognoses. However, childhood cancer can be difficult to diagnose and barriers to early diagnosis are multifactorial. New knowledge about factors influencing the pathway to diagnosis contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that influence this time span. Qualitative research in the field is sparse but can be expected to lead to additional useful insights that could contribute to efforts shorten time to diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' experiences of the pathway to diagnosis in the time between their noticing bodily or behavioural changes and their child's diagnosis. METHODS: The study is a qualitative interview study carried out in large Danish hospital. Thirty-two interviews with a total of 46 parents of children with cancer were included for analysis. The children were diagnosed with haematological cancers (n = 17), solid tumours (n = 9) or brain tumours (n = 6). Data were analysed applying the theoretical model of pathways to treatment and an inductive-deductive approach. A revised 'diagnostic triage' model was developed and validated by member checking. RESULTS: The pathway to diagnosis was influenced by various factors which we present as consistent parts of a new diagnostic triage model. Each factor impacts the level of urgency assigned to bodily and behavioural changes by parents, general practitioners and specialists. The model of diagnostic triage was developed and validated to understand mechanisms influencing time from the point parents notice changes in their child to diagnosis. The model identifies dynamic movement between parental triage in everyday life and professional triage in a healthcare system, both affecting appraisal and case escalation according to: 1) the nature of bodily and behavioural changes, 2) parental intuition, 3) social relations, 4) professional-child-parent interaction, and 5) specialist-child-parent interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic triage is a model which explains mechanisms that shape the pathway to diagnosis. It is a contribution aimed at supporting the clinical diagnostic process, that ultimately could ensure more timely testing, referral and diagnosis, and also a novel theoretical framework for future research on diagnostic pathways.

Interprofessional versus monoprofessional case-based learning in childhood cancer and the effect on healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes: study protocol for a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional education in childhood cancer is a multifaceted field involving multiple healthcare professionals with general and specialised knowledge and skills. Complex treatment, care and rehabilitation require continuous professional development and maintenance of healthcare professionals' competencies in their field of expertise. However, limited knowledge exists in comparing interprofessional and monoprofessional education. Only a few randomised studies have evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of interprofessional education. The objective of this single-centre, investigator-initiated cluster randomised trial is to study the effect of interprofessional versus monoprofessional case-based learning on healthcare professionals' knowledge of gastrointestinal side effects and attitudes towards team collaboration. METHODS: This study will randomise healthcare professionals to participate in either the experimental interprofessional group or the control monoprofessional group of case-based learning. The topic of the case-based intervention will be gastrointestinal side effects, one of six categories identified in a three-round Scandinavian Delphi study as relevant for interprofessional education in childhood cancer. The primary outcome is the self-reported questionnaire Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale. Secondary outcomes are measured by the self-reported questionnaires Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale Questionnaire, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, and knowledge will be evaluated using a multiple-choice quiz. Participants will receive the self-reported questionnaires about 2 weeks before and 1 month after the intervention. On the day of the intervention, participants will answer a multiple-choice quiz before and after the case-based learning. Linear mixed models will be used to compare differences between the two groups in mean scores postintervention, adjusting for preintervention scores. DISCUSSION: This study will provide insight into the differences between interprofessional and monoprofessional case-based learning and how it affects healthcare professionals' knowledge of gastrointestinal side effects and attitudes towards team collaboration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The intervention was registered at Clinical Trials.gov : NCT04204109 on December 102,019 and with the National Committee on Health Research Ethics: H-19087506 December 112,019 and the Danish Data Protection Agency: P-2019-637 October 152,019.

Unmet need for interprofessional education in paediatric cancer: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: Despite improved treatment and care, children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer continue to die, while many of those cured are burdened by treatment-related sequelae. The best clinical management of children and adolescents with cancer depends on healthcare professionals with various skills and expertise. Complex treatment, care and rehabilitation require collaboration between healthcare professionals. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify and evaluate existing interprofessional education in paediatric cancer. METHODS: We utilised the scoping review methodology and searched PubMed, Scopus and Education Resources Information Center. Inclusion criteria were postgraduate studies targeting more than one profession and evaluation of the educational intervention. We applied Kirkpatrick's modified interprofessional education outcomes model to systematise outcomes. RESULTS: Of 418 references, nine studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The design, strategy and content of all the studies were heterogeneous. None of the interprofessional educations systematically evaluated knowledge, skills, attitudes or the effects on patient outcomes or quality of care. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of well-structured, interprofessional education in paediatric cancer that has undergone evaluation. Paediatric cancer may benefit from systematic education and evaluation frameworks since interprofessional education could potentially strengthen the treatment, care and rehabilitation for children and adolescents with cancer.

Classmates motivate childhood cancer patients to participate in physical activity during treatment: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Children with cancer experience reduced physical fitness and compromised social relationships during and following intensive treatment. This may negatively impact their quality of life. As part of the RESPECT study, we explored the motivations for participation in a physical activity programme during treatment. METHODS: Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven boys and six girls, diagnosed with paediatric cancer in 2013 and treated with chemotherapy (age 8-16 years; time from diagnosis to interview 6-16 months). Interviews were conducted in the children's homes. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis showed that children's motivations for engaging in the physical activity programme during intensive medical treatment were primarily influenced by (a) opportunity for physical activity with a classmate; (b) participation in group physical activity sessions; (c) support from significant others; and (d) improvement of physical well-being. Main barriers included (a) poor physical well-being; (b) compliance with medical procedures and being treated in protective isolation; and (c) limited physical activity facilities. CONCLUSION: Despite barriers, it is possible to motivate and engage children with cancer in physical activity during intensive treatment in a paediatric oncology ward. Physical exercise and activity should be recommended and promoted from diagnosis throughout the treatment period and should include psychosocial and professional support.

A qualitative study of decision-making on Phase III randomized clinical trial participation in paediatric oncology: Adolescents' and parents' perspectives and preferences.

AIM: To explore parents' and adolescents' motives for accepting/declining participation in the ALL2008 trials and adolescents' involvement in the decision-making process. BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated on the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology ALL2008 protocol were eligible for two randomizations testing 6-mercaptopurine treatment intensifications to improve efficacy and Asparaginase de-escalation to reduce toxicity. We recently reported that while adolescents favoured treatment reduction, parents of young children favoured treatment intensification. DESIGN: A qualitative, exploratory study. METHODS: A maximum variation sampling strategy was used. Five adolescents aged 12-17 years, six parents of adolescents and five parents of children aged 1-12 years were interviewed in the period March-May 2015. Data were analysed using content analysis. FINDINGS: Adolescents and parents emphasized the importance of adolescents' active participation in decisions regarding enrolment into clinical trials. A majority of adolescents were either final or collaborative decision-makers. Parents stated that in case of disagreement, they would overrule the adolescents' decision. There were no differences between motivations of preferences held by parents of children or adolescents, respectively. Decisions were based on subjective values attributed to cure contra toxicity and individual preferences for either standard or experimental treatment. The possibility of a negative outcome induced fear of decisional regret and distress by the parents, yet they invested considerable trust in the physician's expertise. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the importance of adolescents' active involvement in consent conferences. Research on management of disagreements between adolescents and parents in trial decisions is needed.