Screening for Psychosocial Risk in Dutch Families of a Child With Cancer: Reliability, Validity, and Usability of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool

Abstract

This study confirms the cross-cultural applicability, reliability, and validity of the PAT total score. Reliability left room for improvement on subscale level. Future research should indicate whether the PAT can be used to provide cost-effective care.

Parental distress 6 months after a pediatric cancer diagnosis in relation to family psychosocial risk at diagnosis

“…14,15,17,18 Also, PAT risk scores have been shown to predict the intensity of social work services. The English version of the PAT has been translated into Dutch, 16 and as part of the implementation of an electronic system for the routine monitoring of patient-reported outcomes in children with a chronic disease or cancer, 21,22 the electronic Psychosocial Assessment Tool (ePAT) was developed. The English version of the PAT has been translated into Dutch, 16 and as part of the implementation of an electronic system for the routine monitoring of patient-reported outcomes in children with a chronic disease or cancer, 21,22 the electronic Psychosocial Assessment Tool (ePAT) was developed.…”

Match of psychosocial risk and psychosocial care in families of a child with cancer

“…PAT total scores ranging from 0.00 to 0.99 were considered universal, 1.00 to 1.99 targeted, and 2.0 and higher clinical. Internal consistency of total PAT score was acceptable (α = 0.72) …”

“…As part of a larger study, families of patients with newly diagnosed cancer were asked to participate in this study in four pediatric oncology centers in the Netherlands: the Amalia Children's Hospital/ Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Emma Children's Hospital/AMC Amsterdam, the Sophia Children's Hospital/Erasmus MC Rotterdam, and the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam. During a 19‐month period between June 2012 and December 2013, newly diagnosed patients were identified.…”

“…PAT 2.0 : The PAT comprises seven subscales: Family Structure and Resources, Family Social Support, Family Problems, Parent Stress Reactions, Family Beliefs, Child Problems, and Sibling Problems. Each subscale includes 3–15 items, which are scored dichotomously (risk = 1/no risk = 0).…”

“…Families with higher risk for developing problems could be offered additional psychosocial interventions matched to their risk profile, to support optimal use of the healthcare team's resources . Previous research supported the validity of the PAT in different countries around the world and indicated that the PAT correlates with psychosocial risk and psychosocial services were provided more frequently to higher risk families . Using the PAT reduced family psychosocial risk in the first 6 months of treatment and improved quality of life related to pain in children .…”