Family psychosocial risk screening guided by the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM) using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT)

Abstract

Background. Although families of children with cancer and other serious medical conditions have documented psychosocial needs, the systematic identification of needs and delivery of evidence-based care remain challenges. Screening for multifaceted family psychosocial risk is a means by which psychosocial treatment needs for pediatric patients and their families can be identified in an effective and inclusive manner.

Material and methods. The Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM) is a model that can guide systematic assessment of family psychosocial risk. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) is a brief parent report screener of psychosocial risk based on the PPPHM that can be used for families of infants through adolescents. The PPPHM and the PAT are described in this paper, along with a summary of data supporting systematic risk assessment.

Results. The PPPHM outlines three tiers of family psychosocial risk – Universal (low), Targeted (medium), and Clinical (high). The PAT is a validated measure of psychosocial risk. Scores on the PAT, derived from multiple sites and disease conditions, map on to the PPPHM with indications that one-half to two-thirds of families score at the Universal level of risk based on the PAT.

Conclusion. The PAT is a unique screener of psychosocial risk, both in terms of its breadth and underlying model (PPPHM), and its length and format. As an example of a means by which families can be screened early in the treatment process, PAT scores and corresponding PPPHM levels can provide direction for the delivery of evidence-based psychosocial care.

Acknowledgments

This paper is derived from a 2014 presentation by the first author at the European Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship Symposium (ECRS) in Copenhagen, Denmark. The work discussed in this paper has been supported by the National Cancer Institute (R21CA98039), St. Baldrick's Foundation, the American Cancer Society (RSG-13-015), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (U79SM058139, U79SM54325), and the Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science. The PPPHM and the PAT are copyrighted. For information about its use contact [email protected].

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.