TABLE 3.

Functions and content examined in studies of communication in pediatric oncology (N = 90)

Functiona	% Yes (n)	References
Fostering healing relationships (k = 0.74)	33.3 (30)	12–25,27,30,31,43,74–77,81,83,84,87,88,92,109,111
Exchanging information (k = 0.84)	95.6 (86)	12–24,26,27,29–52,54–59,61–65,67–77,79,80,82,83,86,88–90,92,93,104,107–111
Responding to emotions (k = 0.69)	25.6 (23)	12,13,15,16,22–25,31,36,43,57,63,64,75,76,81–87,111
Managing uncertainty (k= 0.92)	4.4 (4)	20,26,63,75
Making decisions (k = 0.85)	35.6 (32)	12–14,17–19,24,30,33,35–37,42,45,46,53–55,64–66,68,69,72,77,78,86,89–92,106
Enabling patient and family
Self-management (k = 0.92)	6.7 (6)	22,25,63,79,82,93
Content
Child report (k = 0.87)	15.6 (14)	14,16,17,21,37,38,40,53,54,69,70,79,83,110
Parent report (k = 0.90)	67.8 (61)	12–21,23–28,34,35,40,42–47,49–54,61,62,65–68,70–75,77–81,85–93,105,107,109
Physician report (k = 0.90)	32.2 (29)	18,19,21,25,26,29,31,32,48,52,53,55–58,64,65,68,72,74,78–80,82,86,90,91,104,107
Nurse report (k = 0.96)	15.6 (14)	21,22,24,29,31,48,52,53,57,79,82,84,86,108
Report of other staff (k = 0.96)	5.6 (5)	48,52,57,79,82
Communication of prognostic disclosure (k = 0.80)	32.2 (29)	14,16,18,19,22,26–31,35,44,45,52,57,61,62,71,72,77,80,82,86,88,90,105,107,109
Communication of diagnosis, treatment, toxicity (k = 0.74)	46.7 (42)	13,14,16,19,20,22,23,26,28,30–33,35,40,43–47,50–52,60,61,63,66–74,76,79,82,92,105,106,110
Fertility preservation (k = 1.00)	8.9 (8)	37,38,40,56,58,65,82,108
End of Life discussion (k = 0.94)	16.7 (15)	12,17,19,25,29,41,42,53,57,62,86,90,91,93,104
Research informed consent (k = 0.98)	17.8 (16)	13,19,33–36,54,55,59,60,64,68,72,81,89,106
Survivorship/late effects (k = 1.00)	4.4 (4)	39,40,49,50

^aFor both outcome and content, the total percentage exceeds 100% because studies frequently engaged more than one outcome or content source.