Follow-Up Programs for Childhood Cancer Survivors in Europe: A Questionnaire Survey

Stefan Essig, Roderick Skinner, Nicolas X von der Weid, Claudia E Kuehni and Gisela Michel

PLOS ONE, 2012, vol. 7, issue 12, 1-9

Abstract: Background: For many childhood cancer survivors follow-up care is important long after treatment completion. We aimed to describe the availability and characteristics of long-term follow-up programs (LTFU) across Europe, their content and aims, their problems, and to assess opinions on different models of LTFU. Methodology/Principal Findings: We asked 179 pediatric oncology institutions in 20 European countries to complete an online survey on LTFU available at their institution. Of 110 respondents (62% response), 66% reported having LTFU for pediatric survivors, 38% for adult survivors of childhood cancer. Availability varied widely across European regions, from 9% of institutions in Northern Europe reporting LTFU for adult survivors to 83% of institution on the British Isles reporting LTFU for pediatric survivors. Pediatric and adult LTFU were usually located in pediatric hospitals and run by pediatric oncologists. Content of follow-up included screening for adverse outcomes and health education. Important problems included lack of time, personnel and funding. Most institutions without LTFU reported that they would like to offer a program (86%). Conclusion/Significance: Despite general agreement on the need of follow-up care, there is still a lack of well-organized LTFU for survivors of childhood cancer across Europe.

Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0053201

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053201

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