BACKGROUND: We previously identified published scales for symptom assessment in pediatric cancer patients. The objectives of this study were to identify if any of these scales were suitable for use or adaptation as a self-report symptom screening tool, and if not, to begin the process of creating a new tool. METHODS: A focus group of ten healthcare professionals with expertise in pediatric cancer symptom management and a patient advocate were convened. First, the group identified the optimal properties of a symptom screening tool for pediatric cancer patients. Next, the previously identified symptom assessment scales were evaluated against these properties. As none of the existing scales were adequate for symptom screening, a nominal group technique was used to identify the most important symptoms for inclusion in a new symptom screening tool. RESULTS: Optimal properties of a symptom screening tool included minimal respondent burden, inclusion of 15 items or less, and inclusion of the most burdensome symptoms. None of the previously identified scales were adequate because they lacked content validity and were too long or would be too hard for children to understand. Nominal group technique identified 15 items to be included; an initial draft was developed and named the Symptom Screening in Pediatrics (SSPedi) Tool. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the lack of an appropriate symptom screening tool for use by pediatric cancer patients. A preliminary version of SSPedi was developed. Subsequent work will ensure that it is understandable by children and evaluate its psychometric properties.
BACKGROUND: We previously identified published scales for symptom assessment in pediatric cancerpatients. The objectives of this study were to identify if any of these scales were suitable for use or adaptation as a self-report symptom screening tool, and if not, to begin the process of creating a new tool. METHODS: A focus group of ten healthcare professionals with expertise in pediatric cancer symptom management and a patient advocate were convened. First, the group identified the optimal properties of a symptom screening tool for pediatric cancerpatients. Next, the previously identified symptom assessment scales were evaluated against these properties. As none of the existing scales were adequate for symptom screening, a nominal group technique was used to identify the most important symptoms for inclusion in a new symptom screening tool. RESULTS: Optimal properties of a symptom screening tool included minimal respondent burden, inclusion of 15 items or less, and inclusion of the most burdensome symptoms. None of the previously identified scales were adequate because they lacked content validity and were too long or would be too hard for children to understand. Nominal group technique identified 15 items to be included; an initial draft was developed and named the Symptom Screening in Pediatrics (SSPedi) Tool. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the lack of an appropriate symptom screening tool for use by pediatric cancerpatients. A preliminary version of SSPedi was developed. Subsequent work will ensure that it is understandable by children and evaluate its psychometric properties.
Authors: John J Collins; Tom D Devine; Gina S Dick; Elizabeth A Johnson; Henry A Kilham; C Ross Pinkerton; M M Stevens; Howard T Thaler; Russell K Portenoy Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2002-01 Impact factor: 3.612
Authors: Deborah Tomlinson; Faith Gibson; Nathaniel Treister; Christina Baggott; Peter Judd; Eleanor Hendershot; Anne-Marie Maloney; John Doyle; Brian Feldman; Lillian Sung Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2008-11-04 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: D Tomlinson; L Tigelaar; S Hyslop; T Lazor; L L Dupuis; K Griener; J Oliveria; L Sung Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2017-05-12 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Robyn Loves; Deborah Tomlinson; Christina Baggott; David Dix; Paul Gibson; Shannon Hyslop; Donna L Johnston; Andrea D Orsey; Carol Portwine; Victoria Price; Tal Schechter; Magimairajan Vanan; Susan Kuczynski; Brenda Spiegler; George A Tomlinson; L Lee Dupuis; Lillian Sung Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2018-10-15 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Deborah Tomlinson; L Lee Dupuis; Donna L Johnston; Susan Kuczynski; Serina Patel; Tal Schechter; Emily Vettese; Mark Mairs; George A Tomlinson; Lillian Sung Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2022-07-04 Impact factor: 4.638
Authors: Eve Namisango; Katherine Bristowe; Matthew J Allsop; Fliss E M Murtagh; Melanie Abas; Irene J Higginson; Julia Downing; Richard Harding Journal: Patient Date: 2019-02 Impact factor: 3.883
Authors: Lauri A Linder; Amy R Newman; Kristin Stegenga; Yin-Shun Chiu; Sarah E Wawrzynski; Heidi Kramer; Charlene Weir; Scott Narus; Roger Altizer Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2020-05-02 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: C O'Sullivan; L L Dupuis; P Gibson; D L Johnston; C Baggott; C Portwine; B Spiegler; S Kuczynski; D Tomlinson; S de Mol Van Otterloo; G A Tomlinson; L Sung Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2014-08-07 Impact factor: 7.640