Development of A Caregiver-Reported Scale for Pediatric Cancer Financial Toxicity (CRS-PCFT)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Economics
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Financial toxicity is a significant burden for families of pediatric cancer patients.
• Existing screening instruments for pediatric family financial toxicity are limited.
• There is a need for a validated tool to assess financial toxicity in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a caregiver-reported scale for pediatric cancer financial toxicity (CRS-PCFT).
• To provide a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the financial impact of childhood cancer on families.

Main Methods:

• A two-round cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shandong Province, China.
• Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) were employed for scale validation.
• Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to determine scale structure, reliability, and validity.

Main Results:

• A 10-item caregiver-reported scale for pediatric cancer financial toxicity (CRS-PCFT) was developed.
• The CRS-PCFT demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity in a sample of 398 families.
• CRS-PCFT scores significantly correlated with education, household income, work status, and cancer stages.

Conclusions:

• The CRS-PCFT is a robust and valid instrument for assessing pediatric cancer financial toxicity.
• This scale enhances the accuracy of obtaining pediatric cancer financial toxicity conditions.
• Further research is recommended to validate the CRS-PCFT in diverse populations.