Parents are aware of the ototoxic effects of chemotherapy in paediatrics undergoing cancer treatment - Professional versus parental views: A pilot study.
Nomfundo F Moroe, Kirstie Hughes
PMID 28281768WHAT IT FOUND
71% of parents were informed about possible negative effects of chemotherapy, but only 55% of oncologists reported informing parents about hearing impact, and 45% never referred for audiology.
Key findings
0155% (n = 6) of paediatric oncologists offered information about chemotherapy's impact on hearing, while 45% (n = 5) offered no information despite being aware of the risk.
0255% (n = 6) of oncologists referred to an audiologist during or after treatment, while 45% (n = 5) never referred.
0371% (n = 5) of parents were informed about possible negative effects of chemotherapy, while 29% (n = 2) received no information.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Only 11 paediatric oncologists and 7 parents were recruited, so the results cannot be generalised. The authors state the percentages are not statistically significant because the sample was small. Convenience sampling from two public hospitals in Gauteng may not represent other settings. Parent responses could not be verified because questionnaires were passed through hospital departments rather than checked against patient files. The study did not collect child age or gender. The parent questionnaire was not piloted, and the oncologist pilot produced no changes to the tool. The doctors also worked in the private sector, which reduced the number of independent sites.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the 71% parent-awareness result as proof that hearing-risk counselling and audiology referral are dependable. Only 55% of oncologists reported informing parents, 45% never referred for audiology, and the authors state the percentages are not statistically significant.