Grant Details
Grant Number: |
5R01CA251112-05 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
Sung, Lillian |
Organization: |
Hospital For Sick Chldrn (Toronto) |
Project Title: |
Symptom Screening Linked to Care Pathways for Children with Cancer: a Cluster Randomized Trial |
Fiscal Year: |
2024 |
Abstract
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Impressive survival gains for children and adolescents with cancer have been, in part, attributable to the
provision of intensive therapies. However, as a result, most children suffer and experience severe and
distressing treatment-related symptoms. In adult cancer patients, routine collection of patient-reported
outcomes (PROs) improves quality of life (QoL), and delivery of care consistent with clinical practice guidelines
(CPGs) improves outcomes. However, little has been done in these areas for pediatric cancer patients. Thus,
we developed SSPedi (Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool) and SPARK (Supportive care Prioritization,
Assessment and Recommendations for Kids). SSPedi is a self-reported 15 item symptom screening tool for
children receiving cancer treatment; it is reliable, valid and responsive to change in children 8-18 years.
SPARK is a web-based application that consists of two components: (1) a symptom screening component
centered on SSPedi; and (2) a supportive care CPG component. Specific aims are among children with newly
diagnosed cancer, to determine if three times weekly symptom feedback to healthcare providers using SPARK
for 8 weeks and care pathways based on CPGs, when compared with usual care: (1) improves overall self-
reported symptom scores (total SSPedi score); fatigue (PROMIS–Fatigue); and cancer-specific QoL (PedsQL
3.0 Acute Cancer Module); and (2) improves symptom documentation, provision of interventions for symptoms,
and emergency department visits and unplanned clinic visits and hospitalizations.
We propose a cluster randomized trial including 20 institutions. We will include children with cancer who
are 8-18 years; speak English, Spanish or French; and have any newly diagnosed cancer with a plan for any
treatment. For sites randomized to the intervention group (n=10), symptom screening using SPARK will be
prompted three times weekly for 8 weeks with symptom reports provided to primary physicians and nurses
(children may report symptoms more often if they wish). We will also adapt template care pathways based
upon CPGs for symptom management for each intervention site. Control group (n=10) institutions will
continue their usual care for symptom management. Conduct of routine symptom screening and availability of
local CPGs and care pathways for symptom management will be recorded at all sites. For both groups, self-
reported SSPedi (primary outcome), fatigue and QoL will be measured at baseline, week 4 (±1) and week 8
(±1). We will include 444 children at 20 institutions. The entire trial will require less than 5 years to complete.
In order to improve symptom control in pediatric cancer, we need a feasible mechanism by which children
with cancer can be enabled to report and track symptoms, for this information to be readily available to
clinicians and to facilitate clinician adherence to supportive care CPGs for symptom management through
creation of clinical care pathways. We anticipate the results to have a substantive impact on the care for
pediatric cancer patients and on their QoL outcomes.
Publications
Symptom management care pathway adaptation process and specific adaptation decisions.
Authors: Vettese E.
, Sherani F.
, King A.A.
, Yu L.
, Aftandilian C.
, Baggott C.
, Agarwal V.
, Nagasubramanian R.
, Kelly K.M.
, Freyer D.R.
, et al.
.
Source: Bmc Cancer, 2023-04-17 00:00:00.0; 23(1), p. 350.
EPub date: 2023-04-17 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 37069510
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Genetic and histopathological associations with outcome in pediatric pilocytic astrocytoma.
Authors: Cler S.J.
, Skidmore A.
, Yahanda A.T.
, Mackey K.
, Rubin J.B.
, Cluster A.
, Perkins S.
, Gauvain K.
, King A.A.
, Limbrick D.D.
, et al.
.
Source: Journal Of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2022-05-01 00:00:00.0; 29(5), p. 504-512.
EPub date: 2022-02-11 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 35148515
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Barriers to symptom management care pathway implementation in pediatric Cancer.
Authors: Dupuis L.L.
, Grimes A.
, Vettese E.
, Klesges L.M.
, Sung L.
.
Source: Bmc Health Services Research, 2021-10-09 00:00:00.0; 21(1), p. 1068.
EPub date: 2021-10-09 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 34627259
Related Citations
Readiness to Implement Symptom Management Care Pathways in Pediatric Cancer.
Authors: Dupuis L.L.
, Grimes A.
, Vettese E.
, Klesges L.M.
, Sung L.
.
Source: Research Square, 2020-12-30 00:00:00.0; , .
EPub date: 2020-12-30 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 33398260
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