Age‐stratified Distress Thermometers with Worry and Learning Problem Domains for the Paediatric Oncology Population: Development and Validation

Background

The long-term psychological/neuro-psychological sequalae for a minority of survivors of childhood cancer are considerable. This project aims to develop and validate a psychosocial and memory/learning distress thermometer (DT) for paediatric/young adult cancer patients.

Methods Pilot/Development

Age-appropriate versions of the DT were developed. A pilot study tested acceptability, usability, and design.

Validation

7 collaborating paediatric-oncology centres with 549 participants validated the DT against SDQ and HADS for psychological issues, HUI2 for memory/learning issues, PedsQL and SF-8 measured QOL.

Results

Using a cut-off of 4, sensitivity against SDQ for under 18 was 75.8%, 18plus against HADS was 94.1%. The specificity was 53.3% against the SDQ for the 18plus specificity against the HADS was 47.1%. The sensitivity against the HUI2 for all age groups was 89.0% specificity was 70.3%.

Conclusion

The DT is a valid and reliable measure screening instrument. It can be used to identify early on those experiencing psychological distress and memory problems.

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