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Psychological factors impacting transition from paediatric to adult care by childhood cancer survivors.
- Source :
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship; Sep2012, Vol. 6 Issue 3, p260-269, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- <bold>Purpose: </bold>Childhood cancer survivors require life-long care focused on the specific late effects that may arise from their cancer and its treatment. In many centers, survivors are required to transition from follow-up care in a paediatric cancer center, to care provided in an adult care setting. The purpose of this study was to identify the psychological factors involved in this transition to adult care long-term follow-up clinics.<bold>Methods: </bold>Qualitative interviews were conducted with ten paediatric survivors still in paediatric care, as well as 28 adult survivors of whom 11 had transitioned successfully to adult care (attended three long-term follow-up (LTFU) appointments consecutively); ten who failed to transition (attended at least one LTFU appointment as an adult, but were inconsistent with subsequent attendance); and seven who had never transitioned (did not attend any LTFU care as an adult). Line-by-line coding was used to establish categories and themes. Constant comparison was used to examine relationships within and across codes and categories.<bold>Results: </bold>Two overall categories and four subthemes were identified: (1) Identification with being a cancer survivor included the subthemes of 'cancer identity' and 'cancer a thing of the past' and; (2) Emotional components included the subthemes of 'fear and anxiety' and 'gratitude and gaining perspective'. The analysis revealed that the same factor could act as either a motivator or a hindrance to successful transition in different survivors (e.g., fear of recurrence of cancer might be a barrier or a facilitator depending on the survivor's life experience).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Psychological factors are an important consideration when preparing cancer survivors for transition to adult long-term follow-up care. Identifying and addressing the individual psychological needs of childhood cancer survivors may improve the likelihood of their successful transition to adult care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19322259
- Volume :
- 6
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 79612614
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0223-0