The new standards were published in a special issue of Pediatric Blood and Canceropens in new window, the premier journal in the pediatric hematology and oncology world. They represent the "musts" that every pediatric cancer treatment site should have, says psychologist Mary Jo Kupst, PhD, a lead author of the standards. "The bar is low," she says. "These are not what would be desirable if you had all the money in the world, but what you really, really need." The standards call for:
- Systematic assessment of psychosocial needs of children with cancer and their families.
- Monitoring for neuropsychological deficits during and after treatment for children with brain tumors and similar problems.
- Yearly psychosocial screening for educational, social and psychological problems and risky health behaviors in long-term survivors.
- Psychological support and interventions for children and families plus access to psychiatry as needed.
- Assessment of financial hardship, referral to financial counseling and other resources and longitudinal reassessment and intervention.
- Ongoing assessment of the mental health needs of parents and caregivers.
- Customized psychoeducation, information and guidance about the disease, its treatment and the like.
- Developmentally appropriate preparation before invasive medical procedures.
- Opportunities for social interaction during and after treatment.
- Support services for siblings.
- School re-entry support.
- Routine monitoring of treatment adherence.
- Palliative and end-of-life care.
- Bereavement support for families.
- Communication and collaboration among medical and psychosocial health-care providers, patients and families plus specialized training and education for pediatric psychosocial providers.
— Rebecca A. Clay
