RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hospital attendance patterns in long term survivors of cancer
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 374
OP 377
DO 10.1136/adc.2002.021816
VO 89
IS 4
A1 R Johnson
A1 B Horne
A1 R G Feltbower
A1 G E Butler
A1 A W Glaser
YR 2004
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/89/4/374.abstract
AB Aims: To identify attendance patterns in a childhood cancer long term follow up clinic, in order to inform decision making strategies for efficient, cost effective local and national surveillance of survivors. Methods: Cross-sectional review of 385 individuals >5 years from completion of cancer therapy in childhood or adolescence, attending a regional paediatric oncology and haematology centre. Results: Attenders were younger than non-attenders in the <18 age group; no differences were found for ⩾18 year age group. Those attending clinic were more recently off treatment; no significant difference existed for those <7 years from completion of therapy. A greater proportion of attenders were in the most affluent socioeconomic groups with a greater proportion of non-attenders in the lower groups. Those in full time education or training were more likely to attend and those unemployed were less likely. Multiple regression analysis confirmed a significant trend in reduction in attendance with increasing social deprivation, and that attenders were more than twice as likely to be in full time education or training. Conclusions: Following cancer treatment in childhood and adolescence, attendance at long term follow up programmes is determined by social factors including education, employment, and deprivation.