Current Oncology, Vol. 32, Pages 427: Barriers and Enablers to Engaging with Long-Term Follow-Up Care Among Canadian Survivors of Pediatric Cancer: A COM-B Analysis

Current Oncology doi: 10.3390/curroncol32080427

Authors:
Holly Wright
Sharon H. J. Hou
Brianna Henry
Rachelle Drummond
Kyle Mendonça
Caitlin Forbes
Iqra Rahamatullah
Jenny Duong
Craig Erker
Michael S. Taccone
R. Liam Sutherland
Paul C. Nathan
Maria Spavor
Karen Goddard
Kathleen Reynolds
Sharon Paulse
Annette Flanders
Fiona S. M. Schulte

Survivors of pediatric cancer are at risk for late effects and require risk-adapted long-term follow-up (LTFU) care. Yet less than 50% of survivors attend LTFU care. This study aimed to identify barriers and enablers of engaging with LTFU care as perceived by Canadian survivors of pediatric cancer and healthcare providers (HCPs). Survivors (n = 108) and HCPs (n = 20) completed surveys assessing barriers and enablers to attending LTFU care, summarized using descriptive statistics. Participants were invited to participate in survivor focus groups (n = 22) or HCP semi-structured interviews (n = 7). These were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for Behaviour Change (COM-B) model, which explores how an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation influence a target behaviour. Structural barriers, transitioning from pediatric to adult care, and time constraints were highlighted as barriers that affect survivors’ physical opportunity to engage in LTFU care. Accessibility, financial support, HCPs and family support, and community resources were highlighted as enablers that better survivors’ physical and social opportunity to engage in LTFU care. In conclusion, Canadian survivors of pediatric cancer highlighted barriers that limited their physical opportunity to attend LTFU care, while factors that enhanced their physical and social opportunities facilitated greater engagement with LTFU care.

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Holly Wright www.mdpi.com