198682 So you survived cancer, now what?: Development of an interactive, technology-based psychoeducational intervention for pediatric cancer survivors

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 11:10 AM

Marisa Spann, PhD , School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Nina Kadan-Lottick, MD, MSPH , Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Lyn Balsamo, PhD , School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Few psychological interventions exist that target pediatric cancer survivors and utilize technology. For a cancer survivor the conclusion of treatment may elicit psychological distress related to feelings of vulnerability and anxiety. In addition, they may develop late-medical and -neurocognitive sequelae associated with their previous cancer treatment. It is therefore important for both children who are in cancer remission and their parents to understand the biopsychosocial factors that may arise in survivorship, to encourage a healthy physical and emotional lifestyle beyond initial treatment. Yet, medical professionals are busy with caring for the child's health needs and the psychology team may not have the resources to meet the needs of each child. Hypothesis: A psychoeducational CD intervention will be evaluated as a feasible and effective model for disseminating information to pediatric cancer survivors. Methods: We developed a prototype CD for survivors between 7-12 years. Using a cartoon format, the first module discusses physical health and the importance of survivorship medical care. The second module provides an introduction to problem solving and coping strategies grounded in the cognitive-behavioral therapy model. Health professionals will evaluate the video for content, utility, and feasibility (within their practice). Pediatric cancer survivors and their caregivers will evaluate the prototype for conceptual understanding, ease of use, and aesthetics. Implications: The information obtained from both professionals and survivors will be utilized in the development of an expanded version of the intervention, which will improve access to information about the medical and psychological factors involved in pediatric cancer survivorship.

Learning Objectives:
1. To develop a psychoeducational technology-based intervention for childhood cancer survivors that is easy to disseminate and implement independently, with minimal support from a health professional. 2. To develop a format for the intervention that is user friendly, aesthetically agreeable, and is appropriate for the target age group. 3. To expand upon the current prototype, which will provide more modules and interactive components to enhance learning and generalization of the skills presented in the video. 4. To improve pediatric cancer survivors’ and their families’ knowledge of good health practices and coping tools following active cancer treatment.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I participated in concept development, data collection and analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.