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Survey of pediatric solid tumor care in economically underdeveloped regions of China
Xinyu Wang1, Shen Yang2, Qi Zhang2
1Big Data Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, 56 Nanlishi Road, Xicheng District, 100045, Beijing, China.
Insights
Pediatric solid tumor care in underdeveloped China faces challenges due to low case volumes and limited resources. Targeted interventions are crucial for improving diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Global Health Equity
Background:
- Disparities in pediatric solid tumor diagnosis and treatment persist in underdeveloped regions of China.
- This study examines the current state of pediatric solid tumor care in these areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinicians' knowledge, capabilities, training needs, and barriers in pediatric solid tumor care in underdeveloped Chinese regions.
- To identify key areas for intervention to improve care quality.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among pediatric solid tumor specialists in 14 underdeveloped Chinese provinces.
- Data on knowledge, practices, training, and barriers were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Main Results:
- Clinicians reported high theoretical knowledge but low annual case volumes.
- Limited access to advanced treatments like radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation was noted.
- Insufficient multidisciplinary team (MDT) implementation and a high need for further training were reported, with policy support and standardized protocols identified as key barriers.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians in underdeveloped regions face significant challenges including low case volumes, inadequate training, and resource limitations.
- Enhanced training, resource allocation, and policy support are vital for improving pediatric solid tumor care and patient outcomes.
Background:
Despite advancements in pediatric oncology in China, disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric solid tumors persist, especially in economically underdeveloped regions. This study evaluates the landscape of pediatric solid tumor care in these areas, focusing on clinicians' knowledge, diagnostic and treatment capabilities, training needs, and perceived barriers to improving care quality.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinicians specializing in pediatric solid tumors in 14 economically underdeveloped provinces of China. The survey assessed clinicians' self-reported knowledge, diagnostic and treatment practices, training participation, and perceived barriers. Data were collected online and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
A total of 259 responses were included. The majority of respondents were male (58.30%), with a median age of 39 and 11 years of pediatric experience. While most clinicians reported high theoretical knowledge (69.5%), 59.07% attended to fewer than 10 cases annually. Treatment capacities varied, with chemotherapy (94.56%) and surgery (92.05%) widely available, but limited access to radiotherapy (43.93%), targeted therapy (46.86%), immunotherapy (43.93%), and bone marrow transplantation (37.66%). Multidisciplinary team (MDT) implementation was insufficient, with 45.95% lacking MDTs. Most clinicians (96.13%) expressed a high need for further training, especially in clinical guidelines, disease recognition, and early screening. Key barriers included insufficient policy support (67.57%) and lack of standardized protocols (44.79%).
Conclusion:
Clinicians from underdeveloped regions face challenges like low case volumes, limited training, and resource constraints. Targeted interventions, including enhanced training, resource allocation, and policy support, are essential to improving care and outcomes for children with solid tumors in these regions.
