Funding outcome

When successful pediatric cancer treatment is completed the End of Therapy is a period of transition prior to long term survivorship. The End of Therapy Transition (EOTT) is reported as being both a time of celebration and fear (Hobbie (2010), Wakefield (2011)) for families of children diagnosed with cancer. It is the concern of the Stollery Oncology Clinic staff that based on their experience working with families through the EOTT, primary caregivers (PCGs) of children treated with cancer identify less emotional and practical supports and feel abandoned by their medical team after treatment ends. The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the experience of the EOTT by the PCGs of children with cancer in the child's first six months off active cancer treatment. In collaborating with key members of the healthcare team including both medical and psychosocial, as well as the local cancer advocacy group, interviews with PCGs of children with cancer will be completed using qualitative research method to accurately capture the PCGs experience with the EOTT. With this insight, members of the healthcare team will make changes to improve the EOTT experience for PCGs of children with cancer through interventions including but not limited to the development of an EOTT roadmap utilizing the already established beaded journey (used to mark milestones through the cancer journey) and initiate an off treatment psychosocial support model. Ultimately, with an improved EOTT it would be anticipated that PCGs would be better prepared for the transition to the long term survivorship program and lead to PCG empowerment and increased perceived support. This will indirectly lead to a better end of therapy journey for the child. The goals of this study include sharing the findings with other healthcare teams both nationally and internationally through presentations and publications.