The Why Behind the Questions: Question-asking in Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed With Cancer - A Report From the Children's Oncology Group

Healthcare Communication Experiences of Hispanic Caregivers of Childhood Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND

Interpersonal communication is a crucial component of the cancer experience that can contribute to managing cancer care and improving cancer survivors' and caregivers' quality of life. Cultural and contextual factors may impact Hispanic childhood cancer survivor (CCS) and parent caregiver relationships and communication. This study sought to describe the healthcare communication experiences of Hispanic parents with CCS, families, and medical providers.

METHODS

We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with Hispanic caregivers from a safety-net hospital in Los Angeles County. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish, audio-recorded and professionally transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic approach.

RESULTS

Caregivers shared the importance and impact of medical communication when exploring the "first big talk" of the diagnosis, uncertainty about treatment, navigating multiple providers, therapeutic communication (i.e., providing emotional reassurance), and current and lingering effects of cancer. All caregivers shared "good communication" experiences, while others shared various barriers to communication, including a lack of understanding of the cancer diagnosis and caregiver experience, psychological challenges impacting communication, cultural and language differences, physical factors that limit communication, and young age of child impacting communication with caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that a strong interpersonal communication skill set for clinicians can contribute to managing cancer care and improving caregivers' psychological adjustment.

Children's Oncology Group 2023 blueprint: Nursing discipline

In contrast to other Children's Oncology Group (COG) committees, the COG nursing discipline is unique in that it provides the infrastructure necessary for nurses to support COG clinical trials and implements a research agenda aimed at scientific discovery. This hybrid focus of the discipline reflects the varied roles and expertise within pediatric oncology clinical trials nursing that encompass clinical care, leadership, and research. Nurses are broadly represented across COG disease, domain, and administrative committees, and are assigned to all clinically focused protocols. Equally important is the provision of clinical trials-specific education and training for nurses caring for patients on COG trials. Nurses involved in the discipline's evidence-based practice initiative have published a wide array of systematic reviews on topics of clinical importance to the discipline. Nurses also develop and lead research studies within COG, including stand-alone studies and aims embedded in disease/ treatment trials. Additionally, the nursing discipline is charged with responsibility for developing patient/family educational resources within COG. Looking to the future, the nursing discipline will continue to support COG clinical trials through a multifaceted approach, with a particular focus on patient-reported outcomes and health equity/disparities, and development of interventions to better understand and address illness-related distress in children with cancer.

Nursing practice to fulfill the information needs of parents of hospitalized children with cancer and related factors

PURPOSE

This study aimed to clarify the current status of nursing practice to fulfill the information needs of parents of hospitalized children with cancer and to determine the associated factors.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire was administered to nurses working on wards admitting children with cancer in Japan. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, after exploratory factor analysis.

RESULTS

Three factors were extracted as nursing practice: "provision of information that supports the child's future and other family members' daily lives" (factor 1), "provision of information regarding care for the child in the treatment process" (factor 2), "provision of information regarding the child's disease and treatment" (factor 3). Among these three factors, factor 1 achieved the lowest score for the level of practice. Logistic regression analysis indicated that interprofessional information sharing increased the scores of factors 1 and 3 (Odds ratio: 6.150, and 4.932, respectively); assessment of parental information needs increased the scores of factors 1, 2, and 3 (Odds ratio: 3.993, 3.654, and 3.671, respectively); and participation in training increased the score of factor 2 (Odds ratio: 3.078).

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing practice to fulfill the parents' information needs consisted of three factors. The degree of practice varied according to the information content and was primarily influenced by assessment of parental information needs, interprofessional information sharing, and participation in training.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

It is necessary for nurses to accurately assess parents' needs, and interprofessional sharing of information is important to fulfill the information needs of parents.

The information needs of relatives of childhood cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review of qualitative evidence

OBJECTIVES

To synthesize qualitative research on the information needs of relatives of childhood cancer patients and survivors.

METHODS

Systematic searches of PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus identified relevant literature. Extracted data were combined using thematic synthesis. Methodological quality was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tool for qualitative research.

RESULTS

The review included 27 publications, with most research focusing on parents or primary caregivers. Five areas of information needs were identified: treatment, medication, and care; general information about cancer; coping and support; follow-up, late effects, and rehabilitation; and parenting and everyday life. Appropriateness of information depended on health care professionals' aptitude, message characteristics, communication setting, and relatives' personal factors. Preferences for form, sources, and timing for information provision varied.

CONCLUSION

The review identified information needs, communication barriers, and preferences among caregivers and siblings of childhood cancer patients and survivors, highlighting areas requiring further research and clinical consideration in addressing the identified challenges.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Caregivers and siblings have unique but similar information needs regarding childhood cancer. To ensure that these needs are met, health care professionals could use eHealth and mHealth technologies, assess each family member's knowledge, and create a safe and supportive environment for questions and feedback.