Healthcare Professional and Service User Perspectives on Formal Educational Programmes for Children and Young People wit
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Healthcare Professional and Service User Perspectives on Formal Educational Programmes for Children and Young People with Cancer in the UK Wendy McInally 1
&
Karen Campbell 2
# The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Caring for children and young people with cancer requires specific knowledge, skills and experience to deliver the complex care regimes both within the hospital or community environment. This study explored the educational gaps in caring for children and young people with cancer. To address this, a mixed methodology approach was adopted in two phases. Phase one was a questionnaire circulated to healthcare professional members (n = 850) of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group and Managed Service Network, Scotland. Response rate (n = 121) (14%) was achieved. In phase two of the study, a focus groups (n = 4) was conducted with young people in Scotland through the Managed Service Network. This was to gain a critical understanding from service user perspective and what they deemed as important to their overall care delivery. Phase one: healthcare professional results reported that 76% (n = 93) were aware of education; 69% (n = 84) found that knowledge supported practice development, but only 45% (n = 55) finding current education provision useful. The top education topics identified to be lacking in educational availability were communication, psychological support, dealing with young people, supportive care, diagnosis and treatment and challenges to learning. Several participants 64% (n = 78) suggested that funding and time was a barrier, and that there was a lack of provision. Phase two: Findings from the focus group (n = 4) thematic analysis identified five key themes. Service users expected professionals to be knowledgeable and trained, but when talking about experiencing care, gave insights into the gaps in their care. Findings suggest that formal cancer education is required. Keywords Children . Young people . Healthcare professionals . Education and training . Mixed methodology
Introduction Worldwide, cancer is a major concern; therefore, education and training of healthcare professionals is of the utmost importance moving forward. It is also essential to understand what is necessary within the care pathway for children, young people and their families. Therefore, involving service users where appropriate is vital in addressing these needs [1, 2].
* Wendy McInally [email protected] Karen Campbell [email protected] 1
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, 10 Drumsheugh Gardens, EH3 7QJ Edinburgh, Scotland
2
Macmillan Cancer Support, Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG, Scotland
Cancer in children and young people is rare compared with adult cancers but is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in all age groups. Every year in the United Kingdom (UK), approximately 1 in 600 children will develop cancer in the first 15 years of life [1, 2]. This equates to approximately 1400 new cases of cancer in children each year in
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