Anja Borgmann-Staudt1, Marina Kunstreich2, Ralph Schilling1, Magdalena Balcerek1,3, Uta Dirksen4,5, Holger Cario6, Katerina Kepakova7, Stephanie Klco-Brosius4, Elisabeth Korte1, Jarmila Kruseova8, Herwig Lackner9, Thorsten Langer10, Katarzyna-Muszynska Roslan11, Joanna Stefanowicz12, Gabriele Strauß13, Julianne Byrne14. 1. Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 2. Department of Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. 3. Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany. 4. University Hospital Essen Pediatrics III, West German Cancer Centre, Essen, Germany. 5. German Cancer Research Centre (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany. 6. Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany. 7. University Hospital Brno and International Clinical Research Centre (FNUSA-ICRC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. 8. Motol Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. 9. Medical University of Graz, Austria. 10. Lübeck Universitätsklinik, Lübeck, Germany. 11. Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland. 12. Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland. 13. Helios Kliniken Berlin-Buch, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Berlin, Germany. 14. Boyne Research Institute, Drogheda, Ireland.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/ OBJECTIVES: Fertility preservation is a major concern for adolescent cancer patients; yet, educational gaps remain. Our intervention study examined whether specially designed educational materials regarding fertility preservation increase knowledge and empowerment of patients and parents. METHODS:Eleven paediatric-oncological centres in four European countries agreed to enrol all eligible patients and parents in a questionnaire survey at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis. Treating physicians were surveyed on their medical consultation regarding fertility. RESULTS:Educational intervention increased knowledge in both patients (n = 113 and n = 101 in the control and intervention groups, respectively) and parents (n = 111 and n = 99 in the control and intervention groups, respectively), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (knowledge difference patients: 5.6% (t0)/13.1% (t1); parents: 6.4% (t0)/3.8% (t1)). Parents of older patients (OR = 1.3, 95%CI = 1.1-1.7) and higher educational groups (OR = 6.2, 95%CI = 2.1-18.3) in the intervention group (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.03-3.7) achieved higher knowledge levels. Empowerment was significantly improved in both patients (p = 0.046, d = 0.27) and parents (p = 0.046, d = 0.48) in the intervention group. DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the use of specifically prepared flyers and brochures successfully raised the level of fertility preservation knowledge in parents of older patients as well as parents with higher educational levels. Overall, the intervention improved patient and parent empowerment. Subsequent projects will include simpler information and digital material to particularly reach out to younger and less educated individuals.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION/ OBJECTIVES: Fertility preservation is a major concern for adolescent cancerpatients; yet, educational gaps remain. Our intervention study examined whether specially designed educational materials regarding fertility preservation increase knowledge and empowerment of patients and parents. METHODS: Eleven paediatric-oncological centres in four European countries agreed to enrol all eligible patients and parents in a questionnaire survey at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis. Treating physicians were surveyed on their medical consultation regarding fertility. RESULTS: Educational intervention increased knowledge in both patients (n = 113 and n = 101 in the control and intervention groups, respectively) and parents (n = 111 and n = 99 in the control and intervention groups, respectively), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (knowledge difference patients: 5.6% (t0)/13.1% (t1); parents: 6.4% (t0)/3.8% (t1)). Parents of older patients (OR = 1.3, 95%CI = 1.1-1.7) and higher educational groups (OR = 6.2, 95%CI = 2.1-18.3) in the intervention group (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.03-3.7) achieved higher knowledge levels. Empowerment was significantly improved in both patients (p = 0.046, d = 0.27) and parents (p = 0.046, d = 0.48) in the intervention group. DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the use of specifically prepared flyers and brochures successfully raised the level of fertility preservation knowledge in parents of older patients as well as parents with higher educational levels. Overall, the intervention improved patient and parent empowerment. Subsequent projects will include simpler information and digital material to particularly reach out to younger and less educated individuals.