QCOM: Quality of Communication in Pediatric Oncology – Advancing Understanding and Measurement of Communication Functions and Quality

Effective communication between clinicians and families is critical to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes. However, families of pediatric cancer patients encounter many challenges in communicating with their clinicians. In order to improve communication, researchers must develop effective communication interventions. However, developing these interventions requires a deep understanding of how communication functions in pediatric oncology, as well as a robust and reliable way of measuring these functions. Currently, there is no consensus model for how communication functions in pediatric oncology. Similarly, there are no robust, validated tools to measure whether these functions are fulfilled. In this study, we propose to identify the core functions of communication in pediatric oncology through qualitative interviews and focus groups at three academic centers. We are interviewing 90 parents about their experiences and thoughts on communication. Additionally, we are holding two focus groups: one with physicians, and the other with non-physician members of the oncology team. We will follow a rigorous process to review the data from interviews and focus groups in order to identify the major functions of communication in pediatric oncology. We will then write questions for a new tool to measure these functions. Our results will help future researchers to development pediatric-specific interventions to improve communication.

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