Abstract
Background: An effective chemotherapy calendar system between
the clinician and the patient/caregiver can improve patient centered
outcomes. There is lack of research on how chemotherapy calendars are
created and what aspects are important to pediatric oncology providers.
Procedure: In an online survey of pediatric oncology providers,
we evaluated institutional practices, perceptions of chemotherapy
calendar creation, and desires for future tools. 220 survey participants
provided data, with a 10.4% response rate. Results:
Participants indicated that 72% always or most of the time their
institution provides a chemotherapy calendar, most commonly at the start
of a new cycle (90%) or with a dosing change (68%). Factors such as
the health literacy of the family, prior non-adherence, type of cancer,
and desire of the family affected the creation decision. Advanced
practice providers (45%) or nurse coordinator/navigators (43%) were
most likely to create the calendar. No significant difference was found
between the likelihood of creating a calendar and institutional size
(p=0.09) or provider years in practice (p=0.26). About 95% of
participants indicated chemotherapy calendar creation software that
improved ease and efficiency would be moderately to extremely useful.
Conclusion: Future efforts should focus on patient and
caregiver perspectives of chemotherapy calendar elements and
utilization.