Background/Objectives: Pediatric oncology patients and families are at risk for increased distress at diagnosis. The New Oncology Program in Psychology (NOPP) aligns psychological care with the established standards of care at diagnosis. This project aimed to evaluate NOPP and understand the differences between caregivers’ perceptions of feeling informed and prepared to navigate psychosocial concerns for those who did and did not receive psychological services at diagnosis. Methods: A survey was administered via a virtual platform. Frequency analyses summarize caregiver experiences and concerns. Mann–Whitney U tests assess the differences in caregiver knowledge and preparedness between caregivers who did and did not receive psychological services. Results: Caregivers reported difficult emotions at diagnosis and expressed concern for the impact of diagnosis and treatment across broad domains of patient functioning. Caregivers of patients who received psychology consultation felt more informed about difficult emotions and how these may change over time. They felt more prepared and equipped with strategies to manage difficult emotions. Caregivers of patients who completed a cognitive assessment also felt more informed and prepared regarding the potential effects of the diagnosis and treatment on patient cognitive/academic functioning. Conclusions: Psychological services were associated with caregivers’ positive perceptions surrounding the management of difficult emotions and with their knowledge regarding the cognitive/academic impact. The results inform the ongoing modification of NOPP.
背景/目的：儿科肿瘤患者及其家庭在确诊阶段面临更高的心理困扰风险。新肿瘤心理学项目（NOPP）将心理护理与确诊阶段既定的医疗标准相结合。本项目旨在评估NOPP，并比较接受与未接受确诊期心理服务的照护者对心理社会问题处理的信息掌握程度和准备感知差异。方法：通过虚拟平台开展问卷调查，采用频数分析法总结照护者经历与关注点，并运用曼-惠特尼U检验评估两组照护者在知识掌握和应对准备方面的差异。结果：照护者普遍报告确诊期出现情绪困扰，并担忧诊疗过程对患者多领域功能的影响。接受心理服务的患者照护者对情绪困扰及其动态变化认知更充分，在情绪管理策略准备方面更具信心。完成认知评估的患者照护者则对诊疗可能造成的认知/学业功能影响有更清晰的认知和应对准备。结论：心理服务能有效提升照护者对情绪管理的积极认知，并增强其对认知/学业影响的理解。本研究结果为NOPP的持续优化提供了实证依据。
Integrated Psychological Services in Pediatric Oncology: Caregiver Perspectives at Diagnosis
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家