Understanding the <i>Why</i>: Patient, Parent, and Oncologist Perspectives on Prognostic Communication Preferences in Advanced Childhood Cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

High-quality prognostic communication in pediatric oncology is essential to support informed decision making, foster trust, and honor goals of care. While families differ in their preferences for how prognosis is discussed, clinicians often rely on assumptions rather than directly eliciting these preferences, risking misalignment and distress. To address this gap, we aimed to characterize patient, parent, and oncologist perspectives on key variables, experiences, and circumstances that influence their preferences for prognostic communication.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 85 participants (25 patients aged 12-25, 40 parents, and 20 oncologists) to elicit their preferences for prognostic communication and the reasons behind these

SUBMITTER: Batchelor E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12468585 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature