Supporting parents with cancer: An adult psychosocial and palliative care provider needs assessment

The growing incidence of cancer in adults under 50 years old means that more patients are caring for minor children while undergoing oncology treatment. Psychosocial and palliative care clinicians must be prepared to address parenting concerns in their patients. This survey aimed to describe the concerns that patients raised with clinicians, how equipped clinicians feel to address them, and their interest in further training in addressing parenting concerns.

Multidisciplinary adult clinicians in a single urban NCCN-designated cancer center participated in a live interactive poll about these issues.

Clinicians (N = 78) reported that their patients raised the following concerns: end-of-life (79-100%), communicating with children about the illness (89-96%), and addressing the children's emotional issues (86-92%). Many clinicians (57% of social workers, 33% of psychologists and psychiatrists, and 80% of palliative care providers) felt only somewhat equipped to help parents with their concerns. Most respondents (96% of social workers, 56% of psychologists/psychiatrists, and 85% of palliative care providers) wanted additional training in how to address parenting in their patients. The majority of providers (70% of social workers, 88% of psychologists/psychiatrists, and 100% of palliative care clinicians) wanted to be able to refer for specialized parenting consultations when needed.

Adult psychosocial and palliative care clinicians are asked by patients about complex parenting issues, and do not feel fully equipped to address these concerns. They are interested in further training and access to expert consultation to help them support the growing population of parents with cancer and their families.