title: A School Passport as Part of a Protocol to Assist Educational Reintegration After Medulloblastoma Treatment in Childhood.
abstract: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in children and is treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These children frequently experience long-term cognitive, social and physical sequelae, which significantly affect school reintegration.
  
  
  
  This study aimed to explore school-return experiences to create a more structured school reintegration protocol for children postmedulloblastoma.
  
  
  
  A cohort of nine patients who had completed treatment and for whom full neuropsychometric data were available was included in the study (median time since diagnosis 8 years). Data were collected using qualitative parental questionnaires, semistructured interviews with teachers (n = 12) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) (n = 6) involved in their school reintegration. Thematic analysis was employed. A focus group with five HCPs was then used for data validation.
  
  
  
  This study uncovered the following four main subjects: (1) Information sharing; (2) education and empowerment (of educational professionals (EP) and parents); (3) communication between parents, HCPs and EPs; and (4) long-term difficulties.
  
  
  
  Implementation of a standardised protocol delivered within the structure of a school passport document would aid uniform follow-up. The proposed multistage protocol includes early communication and reintegration planning followed by meetings at school re-entry. Follow-up meetings are suggested to reduce information loss and reassess the child's needs. Hospital support at school transitions, inclusion of school data in long-term clinical follow-up and long-term rehabilitation are also recommended. Each stage would be supported by school passport documentation and would facilitate school and parental empowerment, paramount to the long-term sustainability of successful schooling.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tresman
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Morven
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Faye
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.|Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Roderick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.|Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D010290:Parents; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012572:School Health Services
keywords: CNS tumors; neuro-oncology; peadiatric oncology; quality of life; survivorship