Needs Assessment to Guide the Development of a Paediatric Survivorship Programme in Hong Kong

Needs Assessment to Guide the Development of a Paediatric Survivorship Programme in Hong Kong to Promote Physical and Psychological Well-being of Children After Cancer Treatment

This study aims to fill the gaps in knowledge regarding the effects of cancer and its treatment on Hong Kong Chinese paediatric cancer survivors, especially during the transition period, to further capture a deeper understanding of the challenges, views and needs of Hong Kong Chinese paediatric cancer survivors and the key stakeholders around them via face-to-face conversations.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Pediatric Cancer; Survivorship
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Not Application as this is a qualitative study

Detailed Description

Objectives: Although increasing attention has been devoted to the development of paediatric cancer survivorship programmes, most of these studies have originated in Western countries. Given the cultural differences between Asian and Western communities, the applicability of the findings to paediatric cancer survivors in Asian cultural contexts is limited. To date, research remains scant regarding the needs and challenges of Hong Kong Chinese paediatric cancer survivors and the key stakeholders involved during the transition period after cancer treatment. Although Hong Kong paediatric cancer survivors do attend regular medical follow-up visits, most attention has been focused on their physiological care, while their psychosocial needs remain unmet. Accordingly, the aim of this proposed study will be to fill the gaps in knowledge regarding the effects of cancer and its treatment, especially will focus on psychosocial effects in Hong Kong Chinese paediatric cancer survivors during the transition period.

Design and subjects: A qualitative descriptive design will be used. A purposive sample of 15 paediatric cancer survivor participants and their parents or caregivers, five paediatric oncology nurses and three paediatric oncologists will be invited for a semi-structured interview conducted with the aid of an interview guide.

Data analysis: A thematic analysis approach will be used for data analysis.

Expected results: The findings of this study will provide an in-depth understanding of the needs, challenges and views of paediatric cancer survivors and other key stakeholders, which will greatly facilitate the future development of appropriate targeted paediatric cancer survivorship programmes.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 38

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    • The Hong Kong Children's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 9 years to 18 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Paediatric cancer survivors

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• able to speak Cantonese and read Chinese
• aged between 9 and 18 years of age
• Should have completed cancer treatment between 2 months and 2 years earlier

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children who received a diagnosis and completed treatment before the age of 9 will be excluded as they might have vague memories of the course of cancer and may have limited verbal and cognitive ability to express themselves
• Children of exclude parents will be exclueded

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Other
• Time Perspectives: Other

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Interviewees; Paediatric cancer survivors, their parent/caregiver and health care professionals will be invited to express their views and perspectives in an interview with the researcher	Other: Not Application as this is a qualitative study; Not Application as this is a qualitative study

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
An individual, a face-to-face interview will be conducted with the participants to identify the needs of paediatric cancer survivors during the transition period after cancer treatment	Semi-structured and open-ended questions will be used to collect qualitative data from the participants	through study completion, an average of 15 months
An individual, a face-to-face interview will be conducted with the participants to assess the key elements in the development of a paediatric survivorship programme	Semi-structured and open-ended questions will be used to collect qualitative data from the participants	through study completion, an average of 15 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Collaborators: Health and Medical Research Fund
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Joyce Chung, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 30, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 24, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): May 2, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 28, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 27, 2024
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Rehabilitation; Survivorship; Paediatric Cancer; Post-treatment; Transition period; Qualitative study; Needs; Preferences
• Other Study ID Numbers: HKCH-REC-2021-056

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No