Hospital care for adolescents with cancer in Spain: Needs, resources and organisational model

In Spain, adolescents with cancer are treated in Pediatric Onco-Hematology Units or in Adult Oncology Units. For this reason, the Spanish Federation of Parents of Children with Cancer carried out two surveys in 2013 and 2014 to know the differences in provision of psico-social services to the patients and their relatives among both types of Units. Twenty eight Pediatric and 18 Adult Units provided information. The results showed that the Pediatric Units were better adapted to the needs of the adolescent and family patients and to Spanish Health Authorities recommendations: more appropriate environment, resources for education and leisure, facilities to parents and relatives. Specialized Psycosocial care by psychologists and social workers is insufficient in both cases and the compliance with national and international recommendations is weak. However, specific adolescents' Units are starting to be created in Spain, following the experiences in other countries that define the new role of nurse as an essential linchpin in the care team.