Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38151586›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2025

To understand the experiences, needs, and preferences for supportive care, among children and adolescents (0-19 years) diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

C Paterson, P S Kavanagh, R Bacon, M Turner, M Moore, M Barratt, M Chau

Open access · greenAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
5.8field-weighted citation impact, top 4% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

C PatersonCaring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. catherine.paterson@flinders.edu.au.
P S KavanaghFaculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
R BaconFaculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
M TurnerFaculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
M MooreFaculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
M BarrattFaculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
M ChauSouth Australia Medical Imaging, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia.
University of Canberra · AUFlinders Medical Centre · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study aimed to understand the experiences, needs, and preferences for supportive care, among children and adolescents (0-19 years) diagnosed with cancer.

methodsA qualitative systematic review has been reported according to PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases (APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Medline) and citation searches. Studies were screened according to pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was evaluated. Findings were extracted in relation to the context of interest of experiences, needs, and preferences of supportive care. Each finding was accompanied by a qualitative verbatim illustration representing the participant's voice.

results4449 publications were screened, and 44 studies were included. Cancer populations represented in the included studies included lymphoma, leukaemia, brain cancer, sarcomas, and neuroblastoma. Two overarching synthesised findings were identified as (1) coping, caring relationships, communication, and impact of the clinical environment, and (2) experiences of isolation, fear of the unknown, restricted information, and changing self. Children and adolescents articulated that cancer care would be enhanced by developing a sense of control over their body and healthcare, being involved in communication and shared decision-making, and ensuring the clinical environment is age-appropriate. Many experienced a sense of disconnection from the rest of the world (including peers, school, and experiences of prejudice and bullying), and a lack of tailored support and information were identified as key unmet care needs that require further intervention.

conclusionsChildren and adolescent who are diagnosed with cancer are a unique and understudied group in oncological survivorship research, with the slowest progress in improvement of care over time. This review will facilitate the development of future interventions and promote the importance of tailored support for children and adolescents at all stages of the cancer journey. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Children and adolescents continue to experience a range of difficulties despite routine contact with cancer healthcare professionals. Children and adolescents should be carefully assessed about their individual circumstances and preferences for support given the clear implications from this review that "one size" does not fit all.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsHealth Services Needs and DemandNeoplasmsPatient PreferenceAdaptation, PsychologicalAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolHumansInfantInfant, NewbornQualitative ResearchYoung AdultAdolescentsChildrenQualitativeSupportive careSurvivorshipSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID38151586
OpenAlexW4390263767

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.