Pediatric oncology infrastructure and workforce training needs: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group

Abstract

Background: Inadequate numbers of trained health care providers (HCPs) contribute to poor pediatric oncology (PO) outcomes, particularly in low-and lower middleincome countries (L/LMICs). An understanding of the characteristics of the workforce challenges is vital for addressing these problems. Methods: The Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group surveyed PO centers in countries of North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, and Indian subcontinent on infrastructure and workforce capacity, service availability, and training opportunities for HCPs. Participating centers were categorized by the World Bank income levels for their countries and correlated with services, workload and staffing characteristics, and training needs. Results: Fifty of 82 member centers (61%) from 21 countries responded to the survey. Two hundred ninety-nine pediatric oncologists and 1176 nurses treated 12 496 new PO patients/year, with a 1451-bed utilization. The majority (71%) of new cases occurred in L/LMICs. The availability of HCPs correlated with country income level, as did pediatric subspecialty access, while availability of support services was

Corrigendum

“…In article by Khan et al 1 . the authors have recently noted discrepancies in Figures 1 (Page 3 of 10) and Figure 3 (Page 6 of 10) of the paper, in the context of the geographical boundaries of the following two countries: “Jammu and Kashmir” was not highlighted as a disputed territory between Pakistan and India There was no demarcation between Sudan and South Sudan …”

Childhood aggressive B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in low–middle‐income countries

“…poemgroup.org). 21 The comprehensive online resource Cur-e4Kids (www.Cure4Kids.org) has contributed to the sharing of knowledge, technology and organizational skills with the worldwide medical community for many years.…”

“…POEM promotes projects through a platform for activities among paediatric oncologists, aiming to ‘improve resources, promote knowledge, and enhance collaborative research and clinical care’ (http://www.poemgroup.org). 21 The comprehensive online resource Cure4Kids (http://www.Cure4Kids.org) has contributed to the sharing of knowledge, technology and organizational skills with the worldwide medical community for many years.…”

“…Over the last few decades, international paediatric oncologists have become more involved in trying to better understand these different realities with the aim of reducing the unacceptable therapeutic gap in the treatment of paediatric cancers between HICs and LMICs. 11,13,15,[17][18][19][20][21] There are still insufficient data in the literature regarding the treatment and outcome of paediatric aggressive B-cell NHL in LMICs. In the absence of national or cooperative group protocols, only reports from single hospitals or from few centres are available.…”

Comment on: Pediatric oncology infrastructure and workforce training needs: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group

“…Lusine Hakobyan 1,2 Medea Anastasiadi 1,2 Lilit Sargsyan 1,2 Lala Vagharshakyan 1,2 Ruzanna Papyan 1,2 Lusine Krmoyan 1,2 Mihran Martirosyan 1…”