Survivorship care plan utilization in Australia and New Zealand: survivors’, parents’ and healthcare providers’ perspectives

Abstract

Purpose: As part of survivorship care, many health authorities recommend survivorship care plans (SCPs). The aim of this study was to understand survivors’ SCP receipt and use, clinical/demographic factors associated with use, and providers’ SCP practices. Methods: We surveyed Australian and New Zealand survivors of adult and childhood cancer (including parent proxies for survivors aged < 16 years). We fitted binomial logistic regression models to examine the relationship between survivors’ clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, and SCP receipt. We also surveyed oncology health providers regarding current SCP provision practices, perceived receipt, and usefulness. Results: We recruited 1123 cancer survivors (499 adult cancer survivors and 624 childhood cancer survivors, including 222 parent proxies) and 21 healthcare providers. 10.7% of adult and 22.0% of childhood cancer survivors recalled receiving SCPs. SCP receipt was more likely for adult cancer survivors diagnosed with prostate cancer, low-risk cancer diagnoses and older at study participation, and childhood cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy or younger at study participation. Across both groups, a higher level of education attainment was predictive of SCP use. Most healthcare providers estimated that < 15% of adult and > 75% of childhood cancer survivors received SCPs. Conclusions: Few survivors of adult or childhood cancer reported receiving a SCP, and there were sociodemographic and clinical differences in those who did and did not receive and use their SCP. SCP recipients used and valued them, but healthcare providers indicated potential areas for improvement with SCP provision. Consideration may be needed regarding SCP format, presentation and content.