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Pediatric oncology infrastructure and workforce training needs: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and

Muhammad Saghir Khan1, Mazin Faisal Al-Jadiry2, Nidale Tarek3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Al Madinah Al Munawarrah, Saudi Arabia.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|July 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Healthcare provider shortages significantly impact pediatric oncology outcomes in low-income nations. Addressing these workforce challenges requires understanding regional disparities in training and resources for pediatric oncology care.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Global Health
  • Healthcare Workforce Development

Background:

  • Inadequate numbers of trained healthcare providers (HCPs) negatively affect pediatric oncology (PO) outcomes, especially in low- and lower-middle-income countries (L/LMICs).
  • Understanding workforce challenges is crucial for improving pediatric oncology care in underserved regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the infrastructure, workforce capacity, service availability, and training opportunities for HCPs in pediatric oncology centers within the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group's region.
  • To correlate these factors with country income levels and identify specific training needs.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was distributed to PO centers in North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
  • Responses from 50 centers (61%) across 21 countries were analyzed, categorizing centers by World Bank income levels.
  • Data on patient volume, bed utilization, HCP staffing, subspecialty access, support services, and training programs were collected and correlated.

Main Results:

  • The majority of new pediatric oncology cases (71%) were in L/LMICs.
  • Availability of HCPs and pediatric subspecialty access correlated positively with country income levels.
  • Twenty-five centers offered physician fellowship training, and 13 offered nurse training, with significant demand for additional training for existing staff.

Conclusions:

  • Participating centers displayed considerable heterogeneity in resources, infrastructure, workload, workforce, and services.
  • Findings highlight regional disparities and available resources within the POEM network that can be leveraged to address deficiencies in pediatric oncology care.
  • Mobilizing regional resources is key to rectifying specific deficiencies in pediatric oncology care delivery.
Abstract

Keywords:
Eastern Mediterranean regionMiddle Eastpediatric oncologyworkforce trainingworkload

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