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Rich V, Plummer K, Padhy S, Barratt T, Tran J, Treadgold C, Robertson EG. Captains on call: A qualitative investigation of an intervention to support children with retinoblastoma undergoing regular eye examinations. Psychooncology 2024; 33:e6315. [PMID: 38423988 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood ophthalmic cancer that requires frequent eye examinations under anaesthesia and painful or distressing procedures. This can cause significant anxiety for children and their families. OBJECTIVE We evaluated a Starlight Children's Foundation programme, 'Captains on Call', at the Queensland Children's Hospital, which aims to provide positive distraction and reduce stress, anxiety and pain during the perioperative journey for children in the retinoblastoma treatment pathway. This study examined the impact of the programme on the perioperative experience of the children and their families, using a qualitative design. METHODS This study was conducted in a paediatric operating suite at a tertiary-level children's hospital in Australia. We interviewed a parent from 20 families (from a cohort of 40 families, including 44 children), whose children received treatment or screening for retinoblastoma, focusing on the programme's impact on the child and family at various stages during the perioperative journey. We undertook a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews. RESULTS We identified two themes, each with two sub-themes: (1) the programme positively contributed to the overall treatment journey, by addressing different needs at different times, and helping to reframe a traumatic medical experience, and (2), the programme supported the whole family unit by empowering children through play, and adopting a family systems approach which recognised the impact of cancer treatment on the whole family. CONCLUSION This study highlights the value of the Captains on Call programme in supporting children with retinoblastoma and their families during perioperative visits. The Captains, particularly as non-medicalised professionals in a healthcare setting, built trust and rapport with the children through play over repeated episodes of care. The interprofessional collaborative approach with a reflective cycle of practice extended it beyond a programme providing simple distraction. Other retinoblastoma services may benefit from implementing a similar approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Rich
- Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Health Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karin Plummer
- Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Health Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sofia Padhy
- Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Health Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Anaesthesia, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tamsin Barratt
- Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Health Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Johnson Tran
- Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Health Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Claire Treadgold
- Starlight Children's Foundation, New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eden G Robertson
- Starlight Children's Foundation, New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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A study on the adaptation of the sibling cancer needs ınstrument to Turkish. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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3
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Isabel Tan XW, Mordiffi SZ, Lopez V, Leong K. Psychological Distress in Parents of Children with Cancer: A Descriptive Correlational Study. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2020; 8:94-102. [PMID: 33426196 PMCID: PMC7785072 DOI: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_46_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to ascertain levels of distress and contributing factors among parent caregivers of pediatric cancer patients in Singapore. Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, parental caregivers were recruited via convenience sampling during their child's inpatient admission or outpatient appointment. They were asked to complete a self-administered demographic survey and the Distress Thermometer for Parents (DT-P) tool. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and correlation analyses were performed. Results: The mean DT-P score was 5.07 (standard deviation = 2.78), out of a maximum of 10. Distress was reported among 67.9% (n = 55) of caregivers. The cognitive domain of caregiving problems on the DT-P was found to correlate with distress. Parents most frequently reported cognitive problems (n = 21, 25.9%) and, least often, social problems (n = 6, 7.4%). Practical (P = 0.040), emotional (P = 0.001), physical (P = 0.026), and cognitive problems (P = 0.001) of caregiving were statistically significantly associated with distress. Conclusions: Notable levels of distress and proportions of distressed parents highlighted the heavy burden of caregiving. This may also be attributed to the differences in caregiving challenges. The psychological effects of parental caregiving highlight the need for supportive measures for pediatric cancer caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Violeta Lopez
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Katherine Leong
- Department of Nursing, National University Hospital, Singapore
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Morhun JM, Racine NM, Guilcher GMT, Tomfohr-Madsen LM, Schulte FSM. Health-related quality of life and well-being in parents of infants and toddlers with cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:e206-e215. [PMID: 32489270 DOI: 10.3747/co.27.4937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background The unique psychosocial needs of parents and caregivers of young children with cancer are poorly understood. The aims of the present study were to examine health-related quality of life (hrqol), stress, and psychological distress in parents of young children (0-4 years) diagnosed with cancer; and the associations between parent psychosocial functioning and child treatment characteristics. Methods Parents (n = 35) with a child (n = 19 male, 54.3%) 0-48 months of age (median: 31.06 months) on active cancer therapy were recruited. Parents completed questionnaires related to demographics, parent hrqol, parenting stress, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and parent psychological distress. Results Parents reported clinically elevated parenting stress (5.9%), posttraumatic stress symptoms (18.2%), and psychological distress (21.9%). Compared with population norms, parents reported lower hrqol in the vitality (t = 5.37, p < 0.001), mental health (t = 4.02, p < 0.001), role limitation-emotional (t = 3.52, p < 0.001), and general health perceptions (t = 2.25, p = 0.025) domains. Social functioning (β = 0.33, p = 0.041) predicted general health perceptions; vitality (β = 0.30, p = 0.134) and parent mental health (β = 0.24, p = 0.285) did not [F (3,29) = 12.64, p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.57]. Conclusions A subset of parents of young children on active cancer treatment experience clinically elevated psychosocial symptoms. Having poor social connections put parents at risk of perceiving their health more poorly in general. Supports that focus on preventing the emergence of clinically significant distress should focus on parents of young children with cancer who are most at risk of poor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Morhun
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.,Hematology, Oncology, Transplant Program, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB
| | - N M Racine
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
| | - G M T Guilcher
- Hematology, Oncology, Transplant Program, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB
| | | | - F S M Schulte
- Hematology, Oncology, Transplant Program, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB.,Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
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Lehman LL, Maletsky K, Beaute J, Rakesh K, Kapur K, Rivkin MJ, Mrakotsky C. Prevalence of Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Parents and Children Following Pediatric Stroke. J Child Neurol 2020; 35:472-479. [PMID: 32202201 DOI: 10.1177/0883073820909617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are seen in parents and children following critical illness. Whether this exists in parents and children following pediatric stroke has not been thoroughly studied. We examined emotional outcomes in 54 mothers, 27 fathers, and 17 children with stroke. Parents of children 0-18 years and children 7-18 years who were within 2 years of stroke occurrence were asked to complete questionnaires to determine their emotional outcomes. Of participating mothers, 28% reported PTSD, 26% depression, and 4% anxiety; in fathers, 15% reported PTSD, 24% depression, and none reported anxiety. Further, children reported significant emotional difficulty, with 24% having depression, 14% anxiety, and 6% PTSD by self-report ratings. Maternal PTSD, anxiety and depression, and paternal anxiety were all negatively associated with the child's functional outcome. Clinically significant anxiety (based on clinical thresholds) was not found in fathers; however, continuous scores were still analyzed for association between subclinical anxiety and functional outcome, which revealed a statistically significant association between more reported symptoms and higher Recovery and Recurrence Questionnaire scores. Prevalence of PTSD and depression are greater in parents compared to the general population in this preliminary study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Lehman
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristin Maletsky
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeanette Beaute
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kshitiz Rakesh
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kush Kapur
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Rivkin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine Mrakotsky
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Psychosocial assessment of families caring for a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, epilepsy or asthma: Psychosocial risk as network of interacting symptoms. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230194. [PMID: 32203535 PMCID: PMC7089558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess psychosocial risk across several pediatric medical conditions and test the hypothesis that different severe or chronic pediatric illnesses are characterized by disease specific enhanced psychosocial risk and that risk is driven by disease specific connectivity and interdependencies among various domains of psychosocial function using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT). In a multicenter prospective cohort study of 195 patients, aged 5–12, 90 diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 42 with epilepsy and 63 with asthma, parents completed the PAT2.0 or the PAT2.0 generic version. Multivariate analysis was performed with disease as factor and age as covariate. Graph theory and network analysis was employed to study the connectivity and interdependencies among subscales of the PAT while data-driven cluster analysis was used to test whether common patterns of risk exist among the various diseases. Using a network modelling approach analysis, we observed unique patterns of interconnected domains of psychosocial factors. Each pathology was characterized by different interdependencies among the most central and most connected domains. Furthermore, data-driven cluster analysis resulted in two clusters: patients with ALL (89%) mostly belonged to cluster 1, while patients with epilepsy and asthma belonged primarily to cluster 2 (83% and 82% respectively). In sum, implementing a network approach improves our comprehension concerning the character of the problems central to the development of psychosocial difficulties. Therapy directed at problems related to the most central domain(s) constitutes the more rational one because such an approach will inevitably carry over to other domains that depend on the more central function.
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Distress Tolerance in Mothers of Children with Cancer for Predicting Her Parenting Style and Child’s Attachment Behaviors: A Cross Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/ijcm.88905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Impact of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Psychologic Outcomes in Childhood Cancer Patients and Caregivers. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2019; 41:433-437. [PMID: 30629003 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000001405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Complex relationships between race and socioeconomic status have a poorly understood influence on psychologic outcomes in pediatric oncology. The Family Symptom Inventory was used to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety in pediatric patients with cancer and their caregivers. Separate hierarchical linear regression models examined the relationship between demographic variables, cancer characteristics, socioeconomic status, and access to care and patient or caregiver depression/anxiety. Participants included 196 pediatric patients with cancer (mean age, 11.21 y; 49% African American) and their caregivers. On average, caregivers reported low levels of depression/anxiety. Symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients were correlated with poorer mental health in caregivers (r=0.62; P<0.01). Self-reported financial difficulty (β=0.49; P<0.001) and brain cancer diagnosis for their child (β=0.42; P=0.008) were significantly associated with depression and anxiety in caregivers. Analysis did not reveal significant associations between race, household income, or access to care and patient or caregiver depression/anxiety. Perception of financial hardship can adversely impact mental health in caregivers of children with cancer. Psychosocial assessment and interventions may be especially important for caregivers of patients with brain tumors and caregivers who report feeling financial difficulty.
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Psychological treatment for family members of children with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Psychooncology 2019; 28:960-969. [DOI: 10.1002/pon.5052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Isokääntä S, Koivula K, Honkalampi K, Kokki H. Resilience in children and their parents enduring pediatric medical traumatic stress. Paediatr Anaesth 2019; 29:218-225. [PMID: 30592109 DOI: 10.1111/pan.13573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Due to the general lack of familiarity with the concept in the medical field, resilience is rarely considered in pediatric medical traumas. Resilience is an ability that enables recovery after adversities such as traumas, surgeries, serious health problems, or social issues. Stress from medical traumas encompasses both the psychological and physical responses of children and their families. Lack of resilience in children with medical traumatic stress may contribute to poor adjustment, slow recovery, disruptive behaviors, and psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, persistent parental distress increases the child's risk of low resilience. Consequently, these patients and their parents require early identification. This is achievable using a common stress measure such as the Perceived Stress Scale. Moreover, health care providers can screen patients' risks for low resilience, which include few social contacts, poor family functioning, and low cohesion among family members. Findings from the stress scale and screened risks could indicate the need for additional psychosocial support at the time of diagnosis of a serious illness, soon after injuries, and before and after operations. Such interventions can include decreasing distress, counseling children and their parents, and enabling strong connections to health care providers. Health care providers can help parents to minimize distress and adjust to their child's illness, thereby supporting the child's resilience, adjustment, and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siiri Isokääntä
- Department of Anaesthesia and Operative Services, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Krista Koivula
- Department of Paediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kirsi Honkalampi
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Hannu Kokki
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Reflections on the Emotional Hazards of Pediatric Oncology Nursing: Four Decades of Perspectives and Potential. J Pediatr Nurs 2018; 40:63-73. [PMID: 29776481 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES Pediatric oncology nurses are particularly vulnerable to emotional distress. Responsible for the oversight of a child's care, these nurses sustain close interactions with multiple patients and families over time, many of whom are coping with life-limiting diagnoses. The world of pediatric oncology nurses is one where tragedy is routinely witnessed thus demanding self-care and healing across a continuum. PHENOMENON ADDRESSED The aim of this article is to outline and review the emotional sequelae of pediatric oncology nurses' work and to suggest interventions to support well-being in light of prolonged caregiving. Three major categories that are addressed include the aspects of clinical practice that influence caregiving, the risks of burnout, compassion fatigue, moral distress and grief, and interventions to counteract these phenomena. RESEARCH LINKAGES Future-nursing research should focus upon the development of validated, psychometrically sound measurement tools to assess nurse-specific variants of burnout, compassion fatigue, moral distress, and nurse grief. Qualitative research should investigate the relationship between personal variables, workplace and team characteristics, age and experience, and their influence on the predominance of burnout, compassion fatigue, moral distress, and nurse grief. Lastly, the phenomena of resiliency demands further study.
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