Ospina Paula A, Pritchard Lesley, Eisenstat David D, McNeely Margaret L
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada.
Children's Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jan 23;15(3):693. doi: 10.3390/cancers15030693.
To explore pediatric oncology referral practices, gather healthcare providers' perspectives of barriers to access and provision of rehabilitation service across Canada, and inform a framework for action to optimize rehabilitation care and inform future research.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with Canadian healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in pediatric oncology.
A total of 54 responses were received, and 34 corresponded to HCPs who refer children with cancer to rehabilitation services. Results suggest that approximately 25% of children are referred to rehabilitation services, primarily when the child presents with, or is at risk of, significant functional disability due to surgery. A primary barrier to service provision identified across HCPs included a lack of funding and resources. Medical professionals further identified a lack of specialized pediatric oncology rehabilitation services, whereas rehabilitation professionals identified the lack of pediatric oncology specific space and equipment. Identified themes from open-ended survey questions include the need for (1) dedicated funding and resources, (2) improved access, and (3) the need for specialized pediatric oncology rehabilitation services.
Several barriers exist in the Canadian healthcare context that impact the delivery of rehabilitation services for children with cancer. We propose a framework for action to advance clinical care and guide future research.
探讨儿科肿瘤转诊实践，收集医疗服务提供者对加拿大各地康复服务获取和提供障碍的看法，并为优化康复护理的行动框架提供信息，为未来研究提供参考。
对从事儿科肿瘤工作的加拿大医疗专业人员（HCPs）进行了横断面调查。
共收到54份回复，其中34份来自将癌症患儿转诊至康复服务的HCPs。结果表明，约25%的儿童被转诊至康复服务，主要是在儿童因手术出现或有显著功能残疾风险时。HCPs普遍认为服务提供的主要障碍包括资金和资源短缺。医学专业人员还指出缺乏专门的儿科肿瘤康复服务，而康复专业人员则指出缺乏儿科肿瘤专用空间和设备。开放式调查问题中确定的主题包括需要（1）专项资金和资源，（2）改善获取途径，以及（3）需要专门的儿科肿瘤康复服务。
加拿大医疗环境中存在若干障碍，影响了癌症患儿康复服务的提供。我们提出了一个行动框架，以推进临床护理并指导未来研究。
