“Getting to Know You and Your Child” screening questionnaire: Results from a Chicago pediatric collaborative.

Abstract

163 Background: In 2012, a congressional symposium identified the need for services to address psychosocial issues of children with cancer. In 2013, the Institute of Medicine recommended supportive oncology services be initiated at cancer diagnosis. Chicago providers of pediatric cancer are collaborating to improve care for children with cancer and their families focusing on psychosocial stressors and quality of life. Methods: The collaborative conducted a structured review of tools: Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), Social Work Assessment Tool (SWAT), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Problem List, and √IN; with input from providers on stressors throughout the care continuum. The resulting screening tool was created and piloted in English and Spanish at 7 pediatric cancer hospitals. Social workers (SW) informally reported assessment of its usefulness. Results: Parents (n = 85) completed “Getting to Know You and Your Child” screening tool which inquired about caregivers, siblings, child’s interests, school, SSI/SNAP, challenges, and cultural/religious preferences. Providers reported families found the tool useful “to think about support needs.” The tool assessed 12 psychosocial stressors; the mean per patient/family was 2.4 (range 0-11). Most frequent stressors included: lack of support from friends, family, community (29%), paying for food (26%), job flexibility (26%), paying for utilities (25%), medical costs (23%), emotional support for family (22%), school concerns (21%). All who reported temporary residence also reported difficulty paying for housing (p < 0.01). Ten SWs reported this screening tool generated new insight into family structures, identified stressors and informed resolution efforts. Provider recommended adjustments to the screening tool: simplify terms for siblings, hobbies and spiritual, add pet question. Conclusions: Pilot testing of a psychosocial screening tool for pediatric and adolescent oncology informed providers of patient/family needs in a standard manner. Six of the seven pilot sites are implementing this tool as a standard practice. Preliminary data suggests patients and providers find the screener easy to use and informative.