(08) Bridging the Gap: Standardizing Pediatric Oncology Education for Equitable Care Across Canada

Title: Bridging the Gap: Standardizing Pediatric Oncology Education for Equitable Care Across Canada

Abstract : Abstract
Significant variability exists in the educational resources provided to families at the time of a pediatric oncology diagnosis across Canadian hospitals. Many institutions rely heavily on the Children’s Oncology Group Kidscare App (COG KidsCare app) and Family Handbook, which offer generalized information but lack disease-specific guidance. The absence of standardized, comprehensive, and accessible materials may impact patient and family understanding, leading to disparities in care and health literacy. This project aims to assess and standardize patient education materials to ensure equitable access to essential information.

The BC Children’s Hospital’s INSPIRE (INtegrated Student Program in Research Education) Environmental Scan project seeks to evaluate the current landscape of educational resources provided to families at diagnosis, identify gaps and inconsistencies, and develop a standardized resource repository to improve resource accessibility, quality, and comprehensiveness across institutions.

A systematic review was conducted to collect and analyze patient education materials from pediatric oncology centers across Canada. Resources were assessed based on content coverage (diagnosis details, psychosocial support), format, language availability, and cultural inclusivity. Key indicators included reliance on generalized resources, presence of disease-specific documents, and availability of supplementary materials such as fever management guidelines. The impact of language laws in Quebec on resource accessibility was also examined.

Preliminary findings highlight a widespread reliance on the COG KidsCare App and Family Handbook, with limited availability of disease-specific and supplementary resources. While some hospitals provide additional materials such as fever management guidelines and nutrition guides, these are not consistently available. Language accessibility remains a challenge, with Quebec hospitals facing restrictions in providing English-only resources. A resource-sharing model is proposed to enable hospitals to adopt best practices and improve the quality and standardization of patient education nationwide.