Abstract
This study evaluated the comprehensive services offered by existing childhood cancer survivorship programs (CCSPs) in California as indicated by professionals and investigated their effectiveness in providing psycho-social-cultural-spiritual support to survivors and their families. Twenty-one licensed medical professionals with either a health or mental health background including medical doctors, registered nurses, licensed social workers and doctors of psychology, who are currently working with survivors and their families within CSSPs in California participated in this study. All professionals indicated the main focus of CCSPs in California is current and long-term medical follow-up care for the survivor. Most professionals specified that CCSPs in California provide a moderate level of psycho-social support for survivors, families, and caregivers. Most agreed that culture and spirituality could be better integrated. Many expressed that the services offered within these programs would be more comprehensive with increased funding and more acceptance from the insurance companies. Increased funding would allow programs to enhance their current psycho-social-cultural-spiritual services by incorporating innovative services and hiring more non-medical profession staff, such as social workers, child life specialists, and nutritionists. Future studies should focus on assessing the non-medical services needed or requested by survivors and their families/caregivers, and the barriers that prevent CCSPs from implementation. Currently, 80% of children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer are surviving. Further studies need to focus both on services needed and how these services can improve the quality of life of both survivors and their families/caregivers.