Feeling scared or worried self-report in children receiving cancer treatments using the Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi)

ObjectivesSymptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) is a validated self-report symptom screening tool for patients with cancer 8–18 years of age. Co-SSPedi is a novel dyad approach in which both child and parent complete SSPedi together. The objective was to finalise the approach to co-SSPedi administration with instruction that is easy to understand, resulting in dyads completing co-SSPedi correctly.MethodWe enrolled child and parent dyads, who understood English and where children (4–18 years) had cancer or were hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients. We provided each dyad with instruction on how to complete co-SSPedi together. Mixed methods were used to determine how easy or hard the instruction was to understand. Two raters adjudicated if co-SSPedi was completed correctly. Dyads were enrolled in cohorts of 12 evenly divided by age (4–7, 8–10, 11–14 and 15–18 years).ResultsWe enrolled 5 cohorts of 12 dyads, resulting in 60 dyads. Following verbal instruction provided in the first cohort, we identified the need for written instruction emphasising children should wait for parent response prior to entering scores. The instruction was iteratively refined based on qualitative feedback until the fifth cohort, where all 12 dyads found the instruction easy to understand and completed co-SSPedi correctly.ConclusionsWe developed a standard approach to dyad symptom screening named co-SSPedi with instruction that is easy to understand, resulting in correct co-SSPedi completion. Future efforts should focus on co-SSPedi validation and understanding how co-SSPedi scores compare to self- or proxy-reported symptom reporting.

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Translating the Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) into Argentinian Spanish for paediatric patients receiving cancer treatments, and evaluating understandability and cultural relevance in a multiple-phase descriptive study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048287 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e048287

Author(s):

Sergio Gomez ◽

Carmen Salaverria ◽

Erin Plenert ◽

Gisela Gonzalez ◽

Gisela D'Angelo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

El Salvador ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Likert Scale ◽

Cultural Relevance ◽

Haematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Cognitive Interviews ◽

Cancer Treatments ◽

Spanish Speaking ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Paediatric Patients

ObjectivesTo translate a symptom screening tool developed for paediatric patients receiving cancer therapies called Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) into Argentinian Spanish and to evaluate the understandability and cultural relevance of the translated version of SSPedi among children with cancer and paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients.MethodsWe conducted a multiphase, descriptive study to translate SSPedi into Argentinian Spanish. Using two translators, forward and backward translations were performed. The translated version was evaluated by Spanish-speaking paediatric patients 8–18 years of age receiving cancer treatments in two centres in Argentina and El Salvador.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was patient self-reported difficulty with understanding of the SSPedi instructions and each symptom using a 5-point Likert scale. Secondary outcomes were incorrect understanding of the SSPedi instructions, symptoms and response scale determined by cognitive interviews with the patients and rated using a 4-point Likert scale. Cultural relevance was assessed qualitatively.ResultsThere were 30 children enrolled and included in cognitive interviews; 16 lived in Argentina and 14 lived in El Salvador. The most common types of Spanish spoken were Central American (17, 57%) followed by South American (10, 33%) and Castilian (3, 10%). No changes to Argentinian Spanish SSPedi were required based on the outcomes or qualitative comments. No issues with cultural relevance were identified by any of the respondents.ConclusionsWe translated and finalised Argentinian Spanish SSPedi. Future research will focus on its use to describe bothersome symptoms by Argentinian Spanish-speaking children.

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Translating the Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) into French and among French-speaking children receiving cancer treatments, evaluating understandability and cultural relevance in a multiple-phase descriptive study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035265 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. e035265

Author(s):

Valérie Larouche ◽

Gabriel Revon-Rivière ◽

Donna Johnston ◽

Oluwatoni Adeniyi ◽

Panagiota Giannakouros ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Descriptive Study ◽

Cultural Relevance ◽

Haematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Quebec City ◽

Cancer Treatments ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Forward Translation ◽

French Speaking

ObjectivesSymptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) is a validated approach to measuring bothersome symptoms for English-speaking and Spanish-speaking children with cancer and paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. Objectives were to translate SSPedi into French, and among French-speaking children receiving cancer treatments, to evaluate understandability and cultural relevance.MethodsWe conducted a multiphase, descriptive study to translate SSPedi into French. Forward translation was performed by four medical translators. After confirming that back translation was satisfactory, we enrolled French-speaking children with cancer and paediatric HSCT recipients at four centres in France and Canada.Primary and secondary outcome measuresUnderstandability was evaluated by children themselves who self-reported degree of difficulty, and by two adjudicators who rated incorrectness. Assessment of cultural relevance was qualitative. Participants were enrolled in cohorts of 10.ResultsThere were 30 children enrolled. Participants were enrolled from Marseille (n=10, 33%), Ottawa (n=1, 3%), Quebec City (n=11, 37%) and Toronto (n=8, 27%). No child reported that it was hard or very hard to complete French SSPedi in the last cohort of 10 participants. Changes to the instrument itself were not required. After enrolment of 30 respondents, the French translation of SSPedi was considered finalised based on self-reported difficulty with understanding, adjudicated incorrect understanding and cultural relevance.ConclusionsWe translated and finalised SSPedi for use by French-speaking children and adolescents receiving cancer treatments. Future work should begin to use the translated version to conduct research and to facilitate clinical care.

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Validation of the Proxy Version of Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool in Children Receiving Cancer Treatments

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management ◽

10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.03.025 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 107-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Shannon Hyslop ◽

L. Lee Dupuis ◽

Christina Baggott ◽

David Dix ◽

Paul Gibson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Treatments ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Proxy Version

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Validation of the Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool in Children Receiving Cancer Treatments

JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute ◽

10.1093/jnci/djx250 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 110 (6) ◽

pp. 661-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

L Lee Dupuis ◽

Donna L Johnston ◽

Christina Baggott ◽

Shannon Hyslop ◽

Deborah Tomlinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Treatments ◽

Symptom Screening

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Discordance between pediatric self‐report and parent proxy‐report symptom scores and creation of a dyad symptom screening tool (co‐SSPedi)

Cancer Medicine ◽

10.1002/cam4.3235 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (15) ◽

pp. 5526-5534 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Deborah Tomlinson ◽

Erin Plenert ◽

Grace Dadzie ◽

Robyn Loves ◽

Sadie Cook ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Screening Tool ◽

Self Report ◽

Proxy Report ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Parent Proxy Report ◽

Symptom Scores ◽

Report Symptom ◽

Parent Proxy

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Childhood trauma and the impact of deployment on the development of mental disorder in military males

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291719000655 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (5) ◽

pp. 818-826 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rebecca Syed Sheriff ◽

Miranda Van Hooff ◽

Gin Malhi ◽

Blair Grace ◽

Alexander McFarlane

Keyword(s):

Mental Disorder ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Childhood Adversity ◽

Self Report ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Australian Defence Force ◽

Report Data ◽

Self Report Data ◽

The Impact

AbstractBackgroundChildhood adversity is associated with mental disorder following military deployment. However, it is unclear how different childhood trauma profiles relate to developing a post-deployment disorder. We investigated childhood trauma prospectively in determining new post-deployment probable disorder.MethodsIn total, 1009 Regular male ADF personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Prospective Study provided pre- and post-deployment self-report data. Logistic regression and generalised structural equation modelling were utilised to examine associations between childhood trauma and new post-deployment probable disorder and possible mediator pathways through pre-deployment symptoms.ResultsThere were low rates of pre-deployment probable disorder. New post-deployment probable disorder was associated with childhood trauma, index deployment factors (combat role and deployment trauma) and pre-deployment symptoms but not with demographic, service or adult factors prior to the index deployment (including trauma, combat or previous deployment). Even after controlling for demographic, service and adult factors prior to the index deployment as well as index deployment trauma, childhood trauma was still a significant determinant of new post-deployment probable disorder. GSEM demonstrated that the association between interpersonal childhood trauma and new post-deployment probable disorder was fully mediated by pre-deployment symptoms. This was not the case for those who experienced childhood trauma that was not interpersonal in nature.ConclusionsTo determine the risk of developing a post-deployment disorder an understanding of the types of childhood trauma encountered is essential, and pre-deployment symptom screening alone is insufficient

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Evaluation of the electronic self-report Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi)

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care ◽

10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-001084 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 110-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Cathy O'Sullivan ◽

L Lee Dupuis ◽

Paul Gibson ◽

Donna L Johnston ◽

Christina Baggott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Mobile Application ◽

Electronic Version ◽

Self Report ◽

Paediatric Cancer ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Report Symptom ◽

Future Work ◽

Doctors And Nurses

ObjectiveWe previously developed the paper-based Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) designed for paediatric cancer symptom screening. Objectives were to evaluate and refine the electronic mobile application (app) of SSPedi using the opinions of children with cancer.MethodsParticipants were children 8–18 years of age with cancer. Participants completed electronic SSPedi on their own and then responded to semistructured questions to determine whether they found electronic SSPedi easy or difficult to complete and understand, understood and liked the app features (audio and animation), and understood previously difficult to understand concepts with the introduction of a help menu. After each group of 10 children, responses were reviewed to determine whether modifications were required.Results20 children evaluated electronic SSPedi. None found electronic SSPedi difficult to complete or understand. All children understood the app features and each of the 4 more difficult to understand concepts after using the help menu. 19 of 20 children thought the app was a good way to communicate with doctors and nurses.ConclusionsWe finalised an electronic version of SSPedi that is easy to use and understand with features specifically designed to facilitate child self-report. Future work will evaluate the psychometric properties of electronic SSPedi.

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Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool in children and adolescents with high-risk malignancies: a pilot study

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care ◽

10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002753 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bmjspcare-2020-002753

Author(s):

Sarah Szepetowski ◽

Paul Saultier ◽

Nicolas Andre ◽

Vanessa Pauly ◽

L. Lee Dupuis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Symptom Assessment ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Burden ◽

Adolescent Cancer ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

Paediatric Patients ◽

Patient Reported

ObjectiveChildhood and adolescent cancer can result in high burden of distressing symptoms, particularly in high-risk malignancies. The Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) is a reliable and valid approach to measure bothersome symptoms in paediatric patients receiving cancer treatments. Objective was to describe the feasibility of using SSPedi administration among paediatric patients with high-risk malignancies.MethodsWe conducted a single-centre, cross-sectional study of patients aged 8–18 years with high-risk malignancies in a French paediatric oncology unit. Patients self-reported the degree of bothersome symptoms using SSPedi and difficulty with SSPedi completion. The total SSPedi Score ranging from 0 to 60 (where 60 is worst) and most common moderately bothersome symptoms (scored ≥2 on 0–4 Likert Scale) were described. Feasibility was defined as more than 75% of patients agreeing to participate and more than 90% completion of SSPedi questionnaire.ResultsOut of 16 patients approached, 1 declined participation. Median age was 13 years (IQR 8–19). All were able to self-report SSPedi without difficulty. Patients experienced a median number of 6 (range 0–15) bothersome symptoms (score >0). The mean total SSPedi Score was 12 (SD=9.4). Most common moderately bothersome symptoms were pain (8/15), changes in hunger (8/15) and feeling tired (7/15).ConclusionPatient-reported symptom assessment among children and adolescents with high-risk malignancies is feasible using SSPedi. These patients experience a high burden of bothersome symptoms.

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Translating the Symptom Screening in Paediatrics Tool (SSPedi) into North American Spanish and Among Spanish-speaking children receiving cancer treatments: evaluating understandability and cultural relevance in a multiple-phase descriptive study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037406 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e037406

Author(s):

Erin Plenert ◽

Allison Grimes ◽

Aaron Sugalski ◽

Anne-Marie Langevin ◽

Dominica Nieto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

North American ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Likert Scale ◽

Cultural Relevance ◽

Cognitive Interviews ◽

Cancer Treatments ◽

Spanish Speaking ◽

Symptom Screening ◽

American Spanish

ObjectivesSymptom screening is important to achieving symptom control. Symptom Screening in Paediatrics Tool (SSPedi) is validated for English-speaking children. Objectives were to translate SSPedi into Spanish, and to evaluate the understandability and cultural relevance of the translated version among Spanish-speaking children with cancer and paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.MethodsWe conducted a multiphase, descriptive study to translate SSPedi into Spanish. The first step was to determine whether one Spanish version would be appropriate for both North America and Argentina. Once this decision was made, forward and backward translations were performed. The translated version was evaluated by Spanish-speaking children 8–18 years of age receiving cancer treatments.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome was child self-reported difficulty with understanding of the entire instrument and each symptom using a 5-point Likert scale. Secondary outcomes were incorrect understanding of SSPedi items identified by cognitive interviews with the children using a 4-point Likert scale and cultural relevance, which was assessed qualitatively.ResultsThis report focuses on North American Spanish as a separate version will be required for Argentinian Spanish SSPedi based on different common vocabulary and grammatical structure. There were 20 children from Toronto and San Antonio included in cognitive interviews. The most common types of Spanish spoken were Mexican (13, 65%), Central American (2, 10%) and South American (2, 10%). No child reported that it was hard or very hard to complete Spanish SSPedi. Changes to the instrument itself were not required based on understanding or cultural relevance.ConclusionsWe translated and finalised Spanish SSPedi appropriate for use in North America. Future research will translate and evaluate SSPedi for use in Argentina and other Spanish-speaking countries.

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