Benefits of Routine Screening for Parental Distress in Pediatric Cancer: A Pilot Implementation Effectiveness Study

Abstract

Objective

To explore the preliminary effectiveness and implementation outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, cost) of an intervention (eMaP), which provides electronic psychosocial screening and support for parents of children and adolescents with cancer (0–18 years).

Methods

This single-site, pilot implementation-effectiveness study, integrated routine screening into standard care for parents of children 12–16 weeks post diagnosis. Parents completed an online distress screening questionnaire, and those scoring high in distress received additional support from a social worker. Feasibility was measured using study uptake and completion rates, while costs were calculated based on social workers’ time. Qualitative interviews provided insights into acceptability.

Results

Out of 66 parents approached, 57 (86%) agreed to participate, indicating strong interest. Preliminary results showed that parents with concerning initial distress levels, who received clinical social worker support, experienced significant reductions in distress and support needs, and improvements in quality of life from baseline to T2 (8 weeks later) (all p ≤ 0.01). Routine monthly screening was considered feasible and valuable by both parents and social workers. Parents appreciated distress screening as a means of increasing awareness of their needs and valued the additional psychosocial support provided when indicated, while social workers found it useful for capturing clinical information often missed in standard care.

Conclusion

The eMaP intervention was feasible and acceptable to both parents and staff, showing promise to improve parents’ psychosocial outcomes. The study suggests the need for refinements of the intervention and explorations of effectiveness in improving parents’ outcomes in future studies.