ASPO Abstracts
Primary care provider experiences with survivorship care plans for pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication, Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility of delivering survivorship care plans (SCP) to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia cancer patients’ primary care providers (PCPs), as little is known about pediatric provider experiences with SCPs and their preferences related to SCP content. Here we report on PCPs’ opinions of an SCP while caring for pediatric leukemia patients after the end of cancer treatment. Methods: Oncology teams created the individualized SCP that were mailed to PCPs along with a survey on the SCP content for 21 pediatric leukemia patients treated at a children’s hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographics, knowledge regarding patient’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow up care, satisfaction with the SCP and future use of SCP. Results: Of 21 mailed SCPs/surveys, 15 PCPs responded. PCPs reported the most helpful sections of the SCP were recommended medical follow-up (93%), cancer diagnosis details (93%), surgery information (93%), allergies/adverse drug reactions (93%), and the contact information for the oncology provider team (100%). A total of 80% of PCPs agreed that the SCP would improve their communication with their patient’s oncologist. All PCPs agreed that the SCP would improve their knowledge for future care of their patient. However, 60% of PCPs reported that primary care guidelines for pediatric cancer survivors are not well defined. Also, only 40% felt comfortable evaluating potential long term effects among pediatric cancer survivors and 28% felt prepared to manage long-term effects in pediatric cancer patients. Conclusions: PCPs play a critical role in the ongoing management of pediatric cancer survivors. Our study found that PCPs believe that SCPs will help with communication between oncology and primary care. While SCPs included useful information, many PCPs still feel unprepared to manage late effects these cancer patients may experience as they transition away from oncology care. Our findings suggest that in addition to providing PCPs with a SCP, programs should prioritize giving PCPs specific guidelines and resources concerning ongoing care for pediatric cancer survivors.
Keywords: Survivorship care plan; Pediatric; Primary care provider; Survivorship