Multiprofessional follow-up programmes are needed to address psychosocial, neurocognitive and educational issues in
I Van't Hooft1,2, A Lindahl Norberg1,3, A Björklund4
1Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Coordinated follow-up care is crucial for children with brain tumors, addressing their significant psychosocial and neurocognitive needs. This approach supports improved outcomes and educational adaptations for young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Psychosocial Care
Background:
- Brain tumors significantly impact children's lives, affecting their emotional well-being and cognitive functions.
- Existing follow-up care may not adequately address the complex needs of pediatric brain tumor survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and implement a coordinated psychosocial, neurocognitive, and educational follow-up program for children treated for brain tumors.
- To evaluate the feasibility of this model across two Swedish healthcare regions.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of children diagnosed with brain tumors between October 2010 and June 2012 in two regions were invited for follow-up.
- The program assessed parental and patient emotional status, and children's neurocognitive performance and academic achievement.
Main Results:
- A majority of mothers (70%), fathers (34%), and children (21%) exhibited poor emotional status.
- Over half of the children (57%) demonstrated impaired neurocognitive performance, with many requiring educational support (66%).
Conclusions:
- Multiprofessional, coordinated follow-up programs are essential for children with brain tumors.
- Integrating these programs within the healthcare system is vital for optimal patient care and outcomes.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to coordinate the structured psychosocial, neurocognitive and educational follow-up of children treated for brain tumours with the medical protocol and apply the model in two Swedish healthcare regions.
Methods:
We invited all children living in the two regions, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour from October 1, 2010, through June 30, 2012, to participate along with their parents. The follow-up programme evaluated the emotional status of the parents and patients and assessed the children's general cognitive level, working memory, speed of performance, executive functions and academic achievement from diagnosis through to adult care.
Results:
During the study period, 61 children up to the age of 17.1 years were diagnosed with a brain tumour, but 18 of these were excluded for various reasons. The majority of the mothers (70%) displayed significantly poor emotional status, as did 34% of the fathers and 21% of the children. The majority of the children (57%) also showed poor neurocognitive performance and needed special adaptations at school (66%).
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate the need for coordinated, multiprofessional follow-up programmes, well anchored in the healthcare organisation, for children diagnosed with brain tumours.
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