QOL-29. Neuropsychology for you“ – tools to improve awareness of and access to neuropsychological care

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of neuropsychological late effects in childhood brain tumor patients is well known in literature and practice, as well as the use of neuropsychological testing and therapy procedures. Despite guidelines, actual care is quite heterogeneous and often does not meet the needs due to lack of resources. Therefore, a standardized tool to improve awareness of and access to neuropsychological assessment, but even more treatment was developed. METHODS: The core of this Quality-Improvement project is a multilevel and interdisciplinary approach characterized by iterative processes (PDSA-cycles): (1) conceptualization by interdisciplinary, multicenter teams of experts, (2) consensus in Delphi surveys by medical, nursing and psychosocial experts (N=45) and final approval by the steering group. (3) Pilot phases (N=44): Manageability and acceptance, emotional well-being and the degree of information were recorded using a process-oriented screening. RESULTS: The expert meetings resulted in two booklets ("Look closely - Psychosocial assessment" & "1,2,3 - All about Neuropsychology"): Each booklet offers creative methods with a high prompting character to motivate the child to participate actively in two face-to-face sessions (psychoeducational, work and exercise and reflection section). They enable patients to make themselves experts on these topics with age-appropriate, interactive methods. The Delphi survey revealed a consensus of 69%-93%. Patients using the Psychosocial-assessment booklet showed generally low negative emotions and stable positive emotions, which significantly increased during the second session (Z = 2.156, p = .031). Moreover, positive emotions increase significantly during the second session (Z = 2.805, p = .005). Self-indicated degree of information increases significantly with both booklets (Psychosocial assessment: Z = 3.133, p = .002; Neuropsychology: Z = 2.751, p = .006). CONCLUSION: The results illustrate a positive emotional approach to neuropsychological assessment and treatment. Likewise, the rapid increase in expert knowledge supports access to this specific topic and can be considered a minimum standard.

The oracle of D-A-Ch – Results of a Delphi Survey for the development of the evidence- and consensus-based tool “My Logbook”

“…Although this change implies a considerably improvement in the quality of the tool, it also made it less self-explanatory and the need for a manual became evident. Hence, a “My Logbook” manual for health care professionals was developed which contains basic information on the concepts of the S3-guideline underlying the “My Logbook”, as well as specific instructions for its application, including sample answers and suggested material 12 . In the realm of the ongoing multi-center study, “My Logbook” material can be provided to interested professionals and institutions upon reasonable request to the corresponding author and are described in further detail in the corresponding protocol paper 10 .…”

Bridging the gap: A quality improvement project to implement psychosocial care standards into clinical practice in pediatric oncology

“…Each delphi round is concluded by a final evaluation of the agreement to the standards by the specialist group for quality assurance (PSAPOH) . Further details on the proceedings and results of the delphi survey will be available in the corresponding brief report 32 .…”