Petra Svedberg1, Eva-Lena Einberg2, Pontus Wärnestål3, Jennie Stigmar4, Anders Castor4, Karin Enskär5, Jens M Nygren6. 1. School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. 2. School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden; School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. 3. School of Information Technology, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. 5. School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. 6. School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. Electronic address: jens.nygren@hh.se.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Improved survival rates of pediatric cancer have drawn attention on how to best facilitate long-term follow up and transition from pediatric to adult care. The transition process is multifactorial and necessitates the joint involvement of the patient, the family and the healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of support from healthcare services during the transition from adolescence to adulthood described by young adult survivors of pediatric cancer. METHODS: A mixed method with a convergent parallel design was used to evaluate the experiences of receiving support from healthcare services (eg pediatric oncology and pediatric clinic) during transition from adolescence to adulthood described by young adult survivors of pediatric cancer (n = 213) in a nation wide cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: A quantitative assessment of the experienced extent and satisfaction of support from healthcare services to handle physical, mental and social changes to continue life after the disease showed that a majority of the participants had received insufficient support. The qualitative analysis indicated a need for equal roles in healthcare to promote participation, a need to manage and process consequences of the disease, and a need for continuous support. CONCLUSIONS: During transition to adulthood, there's a need for a personalized care plan that takes a holistic approach towards supporting the young cancer survivor in managing life in the best way. Identifying and handling the individual needs of pediatric cancer survivors is important for providing the resources and support required to increase the likelihood of successful transition to adulthood.
PURPOSE: Improved survival rates of pediatric cancer have drawn attention on how to best facilitate long-term follow up and transition from pediatric to adult care. The transition process is multifactorial and necessitates the joint involvement of the patient, the family and the healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of support from healthcare services during the transition from adolescence to adulthood described by young adult survivors of pediatric cancer. METHODS: A mixed method with a convergent parallel design was used to evaluate the experiences of receiving support from healthcare services (eg pediatric oncology and pediatric clinic) during transition from adolescence to adulthood described by young adult survivors of pediatric cancer (n = 213) in a nation wide cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: A quantitative assessment of the experienced extent and satisfaction of support from healthcare services to handle physical, mental and social changes to continue life after the disease showed that a majority of the participants had received insufficient support. The qualitative analysis indicated a need for equal roles in healthcare to promote participation, a need to manage and process consequences of the disease, and a need for continuous support. CONCLUSIONS: During transition to adulthood, there's a need for a personalized care plan that takes a holistic approach towards supporting the young cancer survivor in managing life in the best way. Identifying and handling the individual needs of pediatric cancer survivors is important for providing the resources and support required to increase the likelihood of successful transition to adulthood.
Authors: Alexandra M Psihogios; Lisa A Schwartz; Janet A Deatrick; Elizabeth S Ver Hoeve; Lindsay M Anderson; Elicia C Wartman; Dava Szalda Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2019-07-04 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Claire Snyder; Youngjee Choi; Katherine C Smith; Renee F Wilson; Christina T Yuan; Paul C Nathan; Allen Zhang; Karen A Robinson Journal: JNCI Cancer Spectr Date: 2022-03-02