Identifying the Distinct Profiles of Transition Readiness in Chinese Pediatric Cancer Survivors

Patient-caregiver dyad concordance of transition readiness assessment for adolescent with cancer: A network analysis

AIMS

The concordance of adolescents with cancer and caregivers was examined, and the core elements of transition readiness were identified.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 196 adolescent-caregiver dyads completed the Chinese version of Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx = Treatment Questionnaire and its parent version between March 2023 and August 2023. Intraclass correlation coefficients, paired t-tests and network analysis were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Caregivers reported slightly lower scores for transition readiness than adolescents (3.28 vs. 3.32). Healthcare engagement and provider communication were core elements in transition readiness networks. At the dyad level, agreement between adolescents' and caregivers' transition readiness ranged from poor to fair (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.103-0.486), and a significant difference in structure was found between the two networks.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers tended to underestimate adolescents' transition readiness. Attaining better concordance between adolescents and family caregivers is critical to aligning roles and responsibilities in the transition process.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PAEDIATRIC CANCER CARE

This study extends the evidence on the variation in adolescents' transition readiness, clarifying the complex associative relationships among the elements of transition readiness, which can be potential pathways for improving transition readiness. Second, this study is the first to assess transition readiness from a dyad's perspective. The findings highlighted the patient-caregiver incongruence in rating patients' transition readiness, suggesting that targeted dyadic interventions should be developed and implemented to improve patient-caregiver transition readiness concordance, facilitate effective communication and mutuality between patients and caregivers, and contribute to their collaboration during the transition of adolescents and optimization of outcomes. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Increased long-term survival rates of survivors of paediatric cancer highlighted the significant need for care continuity. Transitional readiness is an important predictor of adolescent survivor's ability to adapt to a long-term survival period. Assessments of adolescents' transition readiness are limited and overlook the synergies between family caregivers and adolescents in the transition period. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: The levels of agreement on rating transition readiness varied from poor to fair among adolescent-caregiver dyads, and caregivers tended to underestimate adolescents' transition readiness. The findings highlighted the patient-caregiver incongruence in rating patients' transition readiness. Targeted dyadic interventions should be developed and implemented to improve patient-caregiver's transition readiness concordance, and facilitate effective communication and mutuality between patients and caregivers.

REPORTING METHOD

Study methods and results reported in adherence to the STROBE checklist.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patients or members of the public were involved in the study.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY

The main findings introduce pathways for improving transition readiness, which can enhance healthcare transition among other medical populations.

Transition readiness of adolescents with cancer: A cross-sectional study based on self-determination theory

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the transition readiness of adolescents with cancer in central China and to explore the paths associated with transition readiness based on self-determination theory (SDT).

METHODS

Self-management and transition to adulthood with Rx = treatment questionnaire, patient activation measure, perceived social support scale and general self-efficacy scale were used to measure transition readiness as well as constructs pertaining to SDT (competence, relatedness and autonomy). The factors influencing transition readiness were evaluated using multiple linear regression. Models 4 and 6 in PROCESS Macro 3.3 were used to test the mediating effects and chain mediating effects, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 217 adolescents with cancer were included; their mean transition readiness score was 59.95 (11.34). Age (t = 6.086, p < 0.000), duration of diagnosis (t = 2.218, p = 0.028), completion of treatment (t = -2.036, p = 0.043), insurance, and competence (t = 11.149, p < 0.000) were significantly associated with transition readiness. The direct effects of self-efficacy and perceived social support on transition readiness were not significant. However, two chain mediating paths were observed: perceived social support - self-efficacy - patient activation - transition readiness and self-efficacy - perceived social support - patient activation - transition readiness; the effect values of these paths were 0.0678 and 0.0703, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study add to the evidence supporting the use of SDT-related constructs to promote transition readiness among adolescents with cancer, highlight the importance of encouraging patient activation, and clarify the ancillary roles of social support and self-efficacy in patient activation development during transitional period.