Follow-up care needs and motivational factors for childhood cancer survivors and their parents in Germany

This study aims to explore the long-term follow-up needs and motivations of childhood and adolescent cancer survivors and their parents to attend follow-up care in Germany, given the inconsistent adherence to national follow-up guidelines. We developed interview guidelines based on the Theory of Pla...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 972 - 9
Main Authors: Ekaterina, Aleshchenko, Thorsten, Langer, Gabriele, Calaminus, Juliane, Glogner, Kathrin, Hellwig, Pietro, Trocchi, Enno, Swart, Katja, Baust
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 06.01.2025
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Portfolio
Subjects:
631/67/2332
692/700/1719
692/700/1720
692/700/228
692/700/478
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult
Aftercare
Age
Cancer
Cancer Survivors - psychology
Cancer survivorship
Child
Children
Emotions
Female
Follow-up care needs
Follow-Up Studies
Germany
Health care
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motivation
multidisciplinary
Neoplasms - psychology
Neoplasms - therapy
Parents - psychology
Pediatric cancer
Pediatrics
Regression analysis
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Social interactions
Social Support
Stereotype priming model
Theory of planned behavior
Young Adult
Germany
Pediatric cancer
Theory of planned behavior
Follow-up care needs
Cancer survivorship
Stereotype priming model
ISSN:2045-2322, 2045-2322
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This study aims to explore the long-term follow-up needs and motivations of childhood and adolescent cancer survivors and their parents to attend follow-up care in Germany, given the inconsistent adherence to national follow-up guidelines. We developed interview guidelines based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and the stereotype priming model to explore motivations and barriers related to follow-up care. We conducted a total of 36 episodic narrative interviews with adolescent (ages 13–17) and adult (ages 18–45) survivors of pediatric cancer, as well as their parents. We analyzed the transcripts qualitatively using thematic content analysis, while quantitative analysis through multiple regression models was used to support the qualitative findings and identify predictors of follow-up care attendance. We identified key themes across age groups, including a strong need to “return to normal life” and a desire for ongoing organizational and social support. Both survivors and parents highlighted specific needs, including timely, personalized health information and practical help with healthcare logistics. Adolescents particularly valued emotional support from their social circles, whereas adult survivors and parents expressed a need for more structured psychosocial and logistical assistance. The findings suggest that both age and the time elapsed since diagnosis play a role in affecting survivors’ perceived control to attend guideline-based follow-up care. Our findings suggest that a differentiated approach to follow-up care, with age-appropriate support structures, and tailored guidelines, may improve adherence among survivors and their parents. To enhance follow-up care adherence among cancer survivors, healthcare providers could offer tailored, age-specific information and practical assistance with healthcare logistics. Additionally, providing emotional and psychosocial support resources for both survivors and their parents can help address their unique needs at different stages of recovery. Trial registration : Registered at German Clinical Trial Register (ID DRKS00025960 and DRKS00026092).
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ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-84156-y