What About School? Educational Challenges for Children and Adolescents With Cancer

Many students treated for cancer experience significant challenges in maintaining their education during and beyond cancer treatment. Late effects of cancer treatment combined with prolonged periods of missed schooling can dramatically impact upon a student's physical, cognitive and social development. This study examined the relationship between cancer type, cancer treatment, time absent from school, school services and academic areas affected by the cancer diagnosis. An online survey was completed by 80 parents, representing 80 children with cancer, and 136 siblings. Twenty-four parents/carers participated in five focus groups held across rural and regional New South Wales (NSW). Additional difficulties for children and adolescents post cancer treatment were reported by 62.3% of parents and included difficulties with attention, mobility, hearing and fine motor skills. Further areas of specific academic need were identified in mathematics, memory, concentration and confidence. Despite the high level of additional need, only 9.3% of students were reported as receiving additional funding support upon their return to school. Emotional descriptions referring to turmoil, lack of understanding and lack of support were contained within the focus group transcriptions. Results indicated a high level of specific educational and psychosocial needs for this group of students who, having overcome a potentially fatal illness, must continue to fight to learn.

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Couples Coping with Cancer: Implications of Adaptive Process and Relationship Outcomes in Recent Findings for Marriage and Family Therapists and Medical Family Therapists

The Family Journal ◽

10.1177/10664807211052487 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 106648072110524

Author(s):

Afarin Rajaei

Keyword(s):

Research Policy ◽

Future Research ◽

Medical Family Therapy ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Family Therapists ◽

Psychosocial Needs ◽

Marriage And Family ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Cancer Experience

The majority of patients with cancer experience clinically significant levels of distress (Dyson et al., 2012; Kwak et al., 2013; Yanez, Garcia, Victorson, & Salsman, 2013) that varies by age at diagnosis, cancer type, and psychosocial needs. Across multiple oncology studies, it has been reported that relationships with family and friends are important sources of support throughout the cancer experience (e.g., Goodall, King, Ewing, Smith, & Kenny, 2012; Miedema, Zebrack, 2011). However, a close relationship can also be a source of distress for patients with cancer, particularly those who are emotionally unavailable or unable to handle stress (Synder & Pearse, 2010; Zebrack, Chesler, & Kaplan, 2010). Contributors to the oncology literature suggested that distress levels between patients and their partners are interrelated (Gregorio et al., 2012; Juth et al., 2015; Kim & Given, 2008; Segrin et al., 2007). Dyadic research that includes patients and their partners is necessary for developing programs and interventions better targeted at meeting patients’ and their partners’ needs. Yet, these factors and the exploration of adaptive processes have not been examined among couples who are facing cancer. In light of these facts, several implications are provided for clinical practice, future research, policy, and the field of medical family therapy based on the above-mentioned studies (Rajaei & Jensen, 2020; Rajaei et al., 2021a).

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Experiences of families with children and adolescents after completing a cancer treatment: support for the nursing care

Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/s0104-11692007000300008 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 411-417 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Maria Carolina Alves Ortiz ◽

Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Delayed Effects ◽

Treatment Support ◽

Cancer Experience ◽

Families With Children ◽

Hospital School

The survival of children and adolescents with cancer has increased in recent years. Researchers and professionals in the health area have prioritized studies on the delayed effects of the treatment and quality of life of the survivors. This study aims to understand how parents and other family members of children and adolescents with cancer, experience the completion of the treatment. This descriptive and exploratory study adopted a qualitative methodological approach. A total of ten families whose children had completed the cancer treatment and were in follow-up in a hospital-school were selected for the study. The data were organized in two thematic axes: the memory % what was experienced and the present % what is being experienced. The study evidenced the participants' vitality to survive the treatment and fragility to live after it. The results allowed identifying aspects that need intervention, aiming at the improvement of quality of life of children, adolescents and the whole family after the end of the treatment.

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Burnout Determinants among Nurses Working in Palliative Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073358 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3358

Author(s):

José Vítor Gonçalves ◽

Luísa Castro ◽

Guilhermina Rêgo ◽

Rui Nunes

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Perceived Health Status ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

National Network ◽

Work Related ◽

High Level

Nurses working in palliative care are at risk of burnout. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to determine burnout levels of nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. We evaluated the contribution of personal, work, and COVID-19 variables in three burnout subclasses: personal, work, and patient-related. A cross-sectional, exploratory, and quantitative design was employed and participants were sampled using convenience and snowball technique. An online survey was conducted and 153 nurses participated in our study. Socio-demographic characterization was conducted, levels of burnout and determinants were explored through multiple linear regression models for its three dimensions. High levels of personal, working, and patient burnout were present in 71 (46%), 68 (44%), and 33 nurses (22%), respectively. Most of them agreed that COVID-19 had an impact on their activities. Significant personal and work related burnout factors found were specialization in palliative care, self-perceived health status, unit type, weekly hours of work, and allocation to COVID-19 units. Gender was found to be a significant factor in patient-related burnout. There is a high level of burnout among nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. Measures for identification and mitigation of burnout are necessary to protect health care professionals.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Azuay Province, Ecuador: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9060678 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 678

Author(s):

Julio Jaramillo-Monge ◽

Michael Obimpeh ◽

Bernardo Vega ◽

David Acurio ◽

Annelies Boven ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Postgraduate Education ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Vaccination Acceptance ◽

History Of ◽

High Level

We investigated the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance level in Azuay province, Ecuador through an online survey from 12th to 26th February (before the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ecuador). Overall, 1219 respondents participated in the survey. The mean age was 32 ± 13 years; 693 participants (57%) were female. In total, 1109 (91%) of the participants indicated they were willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, if the vaccine is at least 95% effective; 835 (68.5%) if it is 90% effective and 493 (40.5%) if it is 70% effective; 676 (55.5%) participants indicated they feared side effects and 237 (19.4%) thought the vaccine was not effective. Older age, having had a postgraduate education, a history of a negative COVID-19 test, a high level of worry of contracting COVID-19, believing that COVID-19 infection can be prevented with a vaccine and understanding there is currently an effective vaccine against COVID-19 were associated with higher vaccination acceptance. A vaccination education campaign will be needed to increase the knowledge of Ecuadorians about the COVID-19 vaccine and to increase their trust in the vaccine. People with a lower education level and living in rural areas may need to be targeted during such a campaign.

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Willingness of Black and White Adults to Accept Vaccines in Development: An Exploratory Study Using National Survey Data

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117120979918 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089011712097991

Author(s):

Sandra Crouse Quinn ◽

Yuki Lama ◽

Amelia Jamison ◽

Vicki Freimuth ◽

Veeraj Shah

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Social Science Research ◽

Science Research ◽

Chronic Health Condition ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Black And White ◽

Vaccine Type ◽

Vaccine Confidence

Purpose: Explore acceptability of vaccines in development: cancer, Type II diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Lyme disease, Ebola, and obesity. Research questions: To what extent does acceptability vary by vaccine type? To what extent does acceptability of vaccines in development vary by race and other key demographics? To what extent are general vaccine hesitancy and key demographics associated with acceptability of vaccines in development? Design: Cross-sectional online survey administered through GfK’s KnowledgePanel in 2015. Analysis completed in 2020. Subjects: Nationally representative sample of Black and White American adults (n = 1,643). Measures: Willingness to accept a novel vaccine was measured on a 4-point Likert scale. Independent variables included demographics (e.g. age, race, gender) and measures of vaccine hesitancy, trust, and the “Three C’s” of vaccine confidence, complacency, and convenience. Analysis: Exploratory analysis including descriptive statistics and regression modeling. Results: Acceptability varied from 77% for a cancer vaccine to 55% for an obesity vaccine. White race, male gender, older age, having a chronic health condition, and higher socioeconomic status were associated with higher acceptability. Higher vaccine confidence and lower vaccine hesitancy were predictors for acceptability. Conclusion: The success of a vaccine depends on widespread public acceptance. Vaccine hesitancy may hinder acceptance of future vaccines, with significant differences by demographics. Future social science research is necessary to better understand and address vaccine hesitancy.

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Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards vaccination: a survey of university students in Europe

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1404 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

A Callegaro ◽

L Chinenye Ilogu ◽

O Lugovska ◽

S Mazzilli ◽

A Prugnola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Medical Students ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Level ◽

Coverage Rates ◽

The University ◽

Vaccination Knowledge

Abstract Background Immunisation programs are still facing substantial challenges in achieving target coverage rates. This has been attributed to the growing negative individual vaccination attitudes and behaviours. Most of the current studies assessing vaccination knowledge, attitude and beliefs targets adults. However, young people represent future parents and health care professionals. The objective of this study was to investigate vaccination knowledge attitudes and behaviours among university medical and non-medical students in Europe. Methods We performed a cross-sectional online survey between April and July 2018. The study participants were students attending different faculties at the University of Antwerp, Belgium and the University of Pisa, Italy. We described sample characteristics. The effect of risk factors was tested with univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results A total of 2079 participants completed the survey including 873 medical students and 1206 from other faculties. The average of vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and confidence was respectively 5.51 (SD: 1.41), 4.66 (SD: 0.14) and 5.28 (SD: 0.57) on the 6-points scale. Our respondents demonstrated a high level of awareness with respect to their vaccination history. In total, 67.7% (n = 1407) reported to have received at least one vaccine in the previous five years; only 6.0% (n = 35) did not receive any vaccine in the previous 10 years. According to logistic regression analysis Italian students had significantly higher knowledge, attitude and confidence scores than Belgium respondents. Students of medicine scored significantly higher compared to non-medical students. Conclusions In order to reduce the gaps in vaccinations knowledge between non-medical and medical students we should plan educational interventions. In this way the number of future sceptical parents could be decreased. Further studies are required to explain the differences between countries. Key messages Young adults are the parents and the health care professionals of the future, for this reason their vaccination knowledge attitudes and behaviours should be carefully monitored. European non-medical students have lower vaccinations knowledge, attitudes and confidence compared with medical student. In order to fill these gaps, we should plan educational interventions.

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Effects of the Active Kids voucher program on children and adolescents’ physical activity: a natural experiment evaluating a state-wide intervention

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-10060-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bridget C. Foley ◽

Katherine B. Owen ◽

Adrian E. Bauman ◽

William Bellew ◽

Lindsey J. Reece

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Online Survey ◽

Specific Activity ◽

Financial Incentive ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Physical Activity Participation ◽

Activity Participation ◽

Clinical Trial Registry ◽

Voucher Program

Abstract Background There is an urgent need for scaled-up effective interventions which overcome barriers to health-enhancing physical activity for children and adolescents. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, the state government implemented a universal voucher program, ‘Active Kids’ to support the cost of structured physical activity registration for school-enrolled children aged 4.5–18 years old. The objective of this study was to understand the effects a financial incentive intervention delivered in a real-world setting has on children and adolescent’s physical activity participation. Method In 2018, all children and adolescents registered for an Active Kids voucher provided sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity and research consent. This prospective cohort study used an online survey with validated items to measure physical activity and other personal and social factors in children and adolescents who used an Active Kids voucher. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine changes from registration to after voucher use at ≤8 weeks, 9–26 weeks and ≥ 6 months. Results Study participants reported increasing their days achieving physical activity guidelines from 4.0 days per week (95%CI 3.8, 4.2) at registration (n = 37,626 children) to 4.9 days per week (95%CI 4.7, 5.1) after 6 months (n = 14,118 children). Increased physical activity was observed for all sociodemographic population groups. The voucher-specific activity contributed 42.4% (95%CI 39.3, 45.5) to the total time children participated in structured physical activities outside of school. Children and adolescents who increased to, or maintained, high levels of activity were socially supported to be active, had active parent/caregivers, had better concentration and were overall happier than their low-active counterparts. Conclusion The Active Kids program significantly increased children’s physical activity levels and these increases continued over a six-month period. The Active Kids voucher program shows promise as a scaled-up intervention to increase children and adolescents’ physical activity participation. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12618000897268, approved May 29th, 2018 - Retrospectively registered.

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Factors Influencing SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy in a Population-Based Sample in Italy

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9060633 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 633

Author(s):

Marco Del Riccio ◽

Sara Boccalini ◽

Lisa Rigon ◽

Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte ◽

Giuseppe Albora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Population Based ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Trust In Institutions ◽

General Adult Population ◽

High Level

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 represents an effective and safe tool to protect the population against the disease; however, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy could be a major barrier to achieving herd immunity. Despite the severity of the current pandemic, the population’s intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among a convenience sample of the general population resident in Italy and the factors associated with hesitancy and acceptance of the vaccine in the context of the current pandemic before the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines. An anonymous online survey was diffused among a general adult population living in Italy. Participants aged 18 or older and living in Italy were considered eligible. Incomplete questionnaires were excluded. Overall, 7605 valid questionnaires were collected. Most of the participants (81.9%) were inclined to get vaccinated; male sex (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12–1.71), a high level of trust in institutions (OR 3.93, 95% CI 2.04–7.83), and personal beliefs about high safety of COVID-19 vaccines (OR 56.33, 95% CI 31.57–105.87) were found to be among the significant predictors of COVID-19 acceptance. These data could help design larger studies to address the problem of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the current pandemic.

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Multifactorial analysis of cancer patients’ willingness for COVID-19 vaccination.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.12062 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 12062-12062

Author(s):

Paris A. Kosmidis ◽

Christie Lagogianni ◽

Thanos Kosmidis

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Online Survey ◽

Triple Negative ◽

Country Of Origin ◽

Small Cell ◽

Cancer Type ◽

The Uk ◽

Diagnosis Date ◽

Time Since Diagnosis

12062 Background: Public health authorities advocate vaccinations for the general population, including cancer patients and survivors. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, its vaccine has been eagerly awaited, but the extent of cancer patients’ willingness to get vaccinated is not clear. As health promotion is crucial for these individuals, it is important to measure and analyze their willingness to receive the vaccine. Methods: A few days after the regulatory approval for the first COVID-19 vaccine, the CareAcross online interactive platforms were used to evaluate the willingness of patients to get vaccinated. Through an online survey, within a few hours, 1106 cancer patients selected either “Yes, I plan to get the vaccine” or “No, I will not get the vaccine”. The patients were from the UK, Germany, France, Spain or Italy; they had been diagnosed with breast, lung, prostate or colorectal cancer. Their responses were analyzed to determine how their cancer diagnosis (including date, metastatic status, and other aspects), and their country of origin, affected their reported willingness to get vaccinated. Results: Overall, 70.6% of patients indicated willingness to get the vaccine (WTV), and 29.4% reported the opposite (NWTV). The strongest determinant of WTV was the patient’s country of origin: patients in the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and France reported WTV of 84.1%, 64.2%, 58.7%, 47.4% and 38.3%, respectively. The next strongest determinant was the time elapsed since the patient’s diagnosis: for the largest population with available diagnosis date (451 UK patients), the average time since diagnosis for patients with WTV vs NWTV was: breast, 3.5 vs 2.5 years; lung, 1.6 vs 1.4 years; prostate, 2.4 vs 3.3 years; colorectal, 1.9 vs 1.5 years. Among patients from other countries with available diagnosis date: as the time since diagnosis increased, among 148 Italian patients WTV gradually increased; among 94 Spanish patients, WTV substantially decreased; among 85 French patients, WTV gradually decreased; among 50 German patients, WTV substantially increased. There was no significant correlation of WTV percentages with cancer type; metastatic status; triple negative vs non-triple negative among breast cancer patients; non-small cell vs small cell among lung cancer patients. Conclusions: Despite long-standing efforts of the scientific community for health promotion through the COVID-19 vaccine, a substantial percentage of cancer patients reported no willingness to get vaccinated. This appeared to depend on each patient’s country of origin, and the time elapsed since their diagnosis. This patient input was collected shortly after the first vaccine’s approval. With increasing evidence of efficacy and safety through more vaccinations of citizens and patients, willingness is expected to increase. We are in the process of conducting a follow-up survey to track these changes and update the results to be reportable during ASCO.

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Attention to diet, exercise, and weight in the oncology clinic: Results of a national patient survey.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.10549 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 10549-10549

Author(s):

Jennifer A. Ligibel ◽

Lori J. Pierce ◽

Catherine M. Bender ◽

Tracy E Crane ◽

Christina Marie Dieli-Conwright ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Online Survey ◽

Early Stage ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Related Factors ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Diet And Exercise ◽

To Receive

10549 Background: Obesity and related factors are increasingly associated with increased risk of developing and dying from cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conducted a survey of cancer patients to assess their experience in receiving recommendations and referrals related to weight, diet and exercise as a part of their cancer care. Methods: An online survey was distributed to potential participants between March and June 2020 via ASCO channels and patient advocacy organizations, with an estimated reach of over 25,000 individuals. Eligibility criteria included being 18 years, living in the US, and having been diagnosed with cancer. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with recommendation and referral patterns. Results: In total, 2419 individuals responded to the survey. Most respondents were female (75.5%), 61.8% had an early-stage malignancy, 38.2% had advanced disease, and 49.0% were currently receiving treatment. Breast cancer was the most common cancer type (36.0%). Average BMI was 25.8 kg/m2. The majority of respondents consumed £2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (50.9%) and exercised £2 times per week (50.4%). Exercise was addressed at most or some oncology visits in 57.5% of respondents, diet in 50.7%, and weight in 28.4%. Referrals were less common: 14.9% of respondents were referred to an exercise program, 25.6% to a dietitian and 4.5% to a weight management program. In multiple regression analyses, racial and ethnicity minority respondents were more likely to receive advice about diet (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.56-2.38) and weight (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.23-2.17) compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals diagnosed with cancer in the past 5 yrs (vs > 5 yrs) were more likely to receive advice about exercise (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.23-1.79), and breast cancer patients were more likely to receive advice about exercise (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11-1.68) and weight (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03-2.07) than other cancer patients. Overall, 74% of survey respondents had changed their diet or exercise after cancer diagnosis. Respondents reporting that their oncologist spoke to them about increasing exercise or eating healthier foods were more likely to report a change in behavior than those whose oncologists did not (exercise: 79.6% vs 69.0%, P < 0.001; diet 81.1% vs 71.4%, P < 0.001). Respondents whose oncologist had spoken to them about exercise were more likely to exercise > 2 times per week compared to respondents whose oncologists did not address exercise (53.5% vs 44.1%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In a national survey of oncology patients, slightly more than half of respondents reported attention to diet and exercise during oncology visits. Provider recommendations for diet and exercise were associated with positive changes in these behaviors. Additional attention to diet and exercise as part of oncology visits is needed to help support healthy lifestyle change in cancer patients.

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