Racial and Ethnic Differences in Communication and Care for Children With Advanced Cancer

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Communication and Care for Children With Advanced Cancer

Mack J W; Uno H; Twist C J; Bagatell R; Rosenberg A R; Marachelian A; Granger M M; Glade Bender J; Baker J N; Park J R; Cohn S L; Fernandez J H; Diller L R; Shusterman S

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

2020

pediatric; prognosis; cancer; end-of-life; disparities; communication

Context: Racial and ethnic disparities in end-of-life care are well documented among adults with advanced cancer. Objective(s): To examine the extent to which communication and care differ by race and ethnicity among children with advanced cancer. Method(s): We conducted a prospective cohort study at nine pediatric cancer centers enrolling 95 parents (42% racial/ethnic minorities) of children with poor prognosis cancer (relapsed/refractory high-risk neuroblastoma). Parents were surveyed about whether prognosis was discussed; likelihood of cure; intent of current treatment; and primary goal of care. Medical records were used to identify high-intensity medical care since the most recent recurrence. Logistic regression evaluated differences between white non-Hispanic and minority (black, Hispanic, and Asian/other race) parents. Result(s): About 26% of parents recognized the child's low likelihood of cure. Minority parents were less likely to recognize the poor prognosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.06-0.63; P = 0.006) and the fact that current treatment was unlikely to offer cure (OR = 0.07; 95% CI = 0.02-0.27; P < 0.0001). Children of minority parents were more likely to experience high-intensity medical care (OR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.29-7.02; P = 0.01). After adjustment for understanding of prognosis, race/ethnicity was no longer associated with high-intensity medical care (adjusted odds ratio = 2.14; 95% CI = 0.84-5.46; P = 0.11), although power to detect an association was limited. Conclusion(s): Parental understanding of prognosis is limited across racial and ethnic groups; racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected. Perhaps as a result, minority children experience higher rates of high-intensity medical care. Work to improve prognostic understanding should include focused work to meet needs of minority populations. Copyright © 2020 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

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