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Sievers Y, Roser K, Scheinemann K, Michel G, Ilic A. The information needs of relatives of childhood cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review of quantitative evidence. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2024; 126:108316. [PMID: 38788309 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to: (1) summarize the quantitative evidence on the information needs of relatives of childhood cancer patients, survivors, and children deceased from cancer; and (2) identify factors associated with these needs. METHODS PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL were systematically searched. The methodological quality of all included publications was assessed, and the extracted data were analyzed using narrative synthesis. RESULTS Of 5810 identified articles, 45 were included. Information needs were classified as unmet, met (satisfied), and unspecified and categorized into five domains: medical information, cancer-related consequences, lifestyle, family, and support. Most unmet information needs concerned cancer-related consequences (e.g., late effects), while information needs on support were generally met. Migrant background and higher education were associated with higher information needs among parents. Siblings had lower information needs than parents. CONCLUSION This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the information needs of relatives in the context of childhood cancer, showing that information on cancer-related consequences is needed most often. The socioeconomic background of the relatives needs continued consideration throughout the cancer trajectory. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Our findings suggest the need for personalized information. Healthcare professionals should adapt their communication strategies to respond to the different and evolving needs of all affected relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Sievers
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Roser
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Scheinemann
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland; Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital and McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Gisela Michel
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Anica Ilic
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Akkawi El Edelbi R, Eksborg S, Kreicbergs U, Lövgren M, Ekman J, Lindemalm S. Parents' experiences on handling paediatric anticancer drugs at home after an educational intervention. J Eval Clin Pract 2024. [PMID: 38993024 DOI: 10.1111/jep.14089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The shift of treatment of paediatric cancer patients to include more care at home puts a lot of pressure on health care professionals (HCPs) to prepare and train parents on safe and correct drug handling at home. Parents must take in and understand the information presented to them while coping with their own fear related to their child's cancer diagnosis. In Sweden, parents are expected to handle and manipulate oral anticancer drugs (OADs) in the home setting. There is however a lack of a standardized method to inform and educate parents on how to handle OADs in a correct way at home. AIM To describe parents' experiences of handling OADs at home after participating in an educational intervention. METHOD Educational intervention in the present study aimed to improve parents' knowledge in key concepts that is, handling OADs at home by using information presented in different forms. Fifteen parents to 12 children with cancer were recruited from a paediatric oncology ward in Sweden to participate in an interview. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Parents' experiences are presented in categories: Relieved stress, Awareness of own exposure, Facilitated my everyday life, Parents need continued support individually. The educational intervention resulted in both positive and negative feelings, increased awareness of drug exposure and correct drug handling at home. Practical training and information presented in different ways facilitated the process of drug handling. To handle the drug correctly at home parents requested to be trained and informed in the beginning of their child's oral drug treatment. In addition, parents requested to be individually approached by HCP to get answers to questions and concerns. CONCLUSIONS This educational intervention study shows promising results for the method used by HCPs to inform and educate parents on complicated topics such as handling OADs at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranaa Akkawi El Edelbi
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Pediatrics, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Staffan Eksborg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Pediatrics, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Lövgren
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Advanced Pediatric Home Care, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jennie Ekman
- Division of Pediatrics, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Synnöve Lindemalm
- Division of Pediatrics, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Mohammadi F, Naderi Z, Nikrouz L, Oshvandi K, Masoumi SZ, Sabetsarvestani P, Bijani M. Ethical challenges as perceived by nurses in pediatric oncology units. Nurs Ethics 2024; 31:268-280. [PMID: 37624231 DOI: 10.1177/09697330231191278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Providing care to children with cancer is one of the most challenging areas of ethical care for nurses. Few studies have addressed nurses' perception of the barriers to giving ethical care in oncology departments. Thus, it is essential that the ethical challenges in caregiving as perceived by oncology nurses be investigated. OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to investigate the ethical challenges as perceived by nurses in pediatric oncology units in the south of Iran. RESEARCH DESIGN The present study is a qualitative work of research with a conventional content analysis design. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT The participants were 21 nurses from pediatric oncology units in state hospitals who were selected by purposeful sampling. Sampling continued until the data were saturated. The study lasted from April to October 2022. FINDINGS Three main themes, promoting psychological safety in the children, respect for the dignity of the children, and expansion of support for families, and nine subthemes were extracted from the data. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS The study's protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Medical Sciences and ethical principles were followed throughout the study. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION From the nurses' perspective, the major ethical challenges in providing ethical care in pediatric oncology units were reducing tension toward promoting the patients' psychological safety, showing respect for the identity and dignity of the children with cancer, and expanding support of the patients' families. By creating the right cultural and professional context and establishing proper protocols, healthcare policymakers and administrators can take effective steps toward eliminating the barriers to providing ethical care.
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Nizamis K, Kalliakmanis V, Koutsoupias N, Polychronopoulou S, Baka M, Papakonstantinou E, Hatzipantelis E. The inter-familiar issues of Greek parents facing childhood cancer. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:229-234. [PMID: 37864599 PMCID: PMC10858066 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05266-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer as a whole, but especially childhood cancer, creates a number of psychological, social, and family problems as well as practical and financial issues, which every parent is called upon to solve. This study focuses on childhood cancer and aims at a thorough analysis of the physical/organic, psychological, and social problems associated with the parents and relatives of a child with cancer. The special element in pediatric neoplasms is not only the vulnerable population target group, but also the set of secondary effects it has on the environment of the sick child. The research was conducted on a sample of 133 families of children with cancer, and the results were displayed after statistical processing and data analysis with R statistical software. The results of the study confirm with statistically significant data the effect of childhood cancer on the physical, mental, and social health and behavior of the parent. Thus, 53.8% of the respondents stated 5 and above on the 7-point Likert scale for fatigue issues, 55.6% for sleep disorders, 78.1% for stress, and 82.7% for fear. The key findings are characterized by high specificity as it is a unique study that reveals particular aspects of the Greek parent's behavior, mind, and body during the period of their child's illness. Conclusion: The effects of childhood illnesses, particularly when they are severe, such as neoplasms, present a looming threat, ushering in a multitude of adverse alterations in the daily lives of the affected child's family. What is Known - What is New: • We know the effects that a childhood illness brings not only to the sick child, but also to the entire family circle. The new element in the present research is that these data reflect the situation in Greece, for which the research data in this area is quite limited. Our research is one of the few studies that demonstrate with statistical data the change in the psychosomatic health of the parent who has a child with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kleanthis Nizamis
- School of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | | | - Nikos Koutsoupias
- Department of International and European Studies, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sophia Polychronopoulou
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Margarita Baka
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, General Children's Hospital of Athens Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou, Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Papakonstantinou
- Pediatric Oncology Department, Hippokration General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Hatzipantelis
- Children's & Adolescent's Hematology-Oncology Unit of 2nd Paediatric Clinic, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Melesse TG, Chau JPC, Li WHC, Yimer MA. Family caregivers' experiences of caring for children diagnosed with haematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy in Ethiopia: A qualitative study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2023; 66:102376. [PMID: 37506611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Studies from different countries show that caregivers of children with haematological cancer receiving chemotherapy encounter substantial distress when witnessing their children's suffering from the illness and chemotherapy side effects, alongside experiencing psychosocial problems and financial difficulties. However, no studies for this are available from Ethiopia in its specific cultural background and health care system. Thus, this study aimed to explore and bring into light the experiences of Ethiopian family caregivers of children with haematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy. METHODS A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using a maximum variation purposive sampling method among 20 caregivers. Semi-structured in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted until no new themes discovered. The data were analysed through qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS Participants believed cancer comes from different reasons and chemotherapy is ineffective in curing cancer. They identified various chemotherapy-related side effects, and psychosocial problems. The lack of health insurance, loss of job or income, and high cost of treatments were the major financial challenges. Adhering to treatments, acceptance and reassurance, religious and spiritual therapies, traditional medicine, and a support system were the major coping strategies. They had needs for improved support in information and education, psychosocial support, and in the availability of medications. CONCLUSIONS Systematic health assessment, provision of targeted information and education, psychosocial support, nursing care respecting the caregivers' positive coping strategies, improvement in chemotherapy medication availability, and facilitating connections with supporting organisations would help improve child outcomes and address caregiver needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenaw Gualu Melesse
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia
| | - Janita Pak Chun Chau
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - William Ho Cheung Li
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Mulugeta Ayalew Yimer
- Unit of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
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Phiri L, Li WHC, Cheung AT, Phiri PGMC. Effectiveness of psychoeducation interventions in reducing negative psychological outcomes and improving coping skills in caregivers of children with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychooncology 2023; 32:1514-1527. [PMID: 37639282 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Psychoeducation interventions (PEIs) have been used as an adjunct treatment for negative psychological outcomes in caregivers of children with cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of PEIs in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms and improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and coping skills in caregivers of children with cancer. METHOD Ten English databases were searched to identify studies on PEIs for caregivers of children with cancer. Studies inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) participants who were caregivers of children with cancer receiving treatment; (2) psychoeducational interventions assessing anxiety, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, and coping outcomes; and (3) usual care, waitlist, or active control as a control group. Meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were used to analyse data. RESULTS Fourteen randomised control trials were included. PEIs have a beneficial effect on anxiety levels (SMD: -0.59, 95% CI [-0.92, -0.25], p = 0.0007), quality of life (SMD: -0.31, 95% CI [-0.00, -0.61], p = 0.05) and depressive symptoms (SMD: -1.18, 95% CI [-2.08, -0.28], p = 0.01) immediately post-intervention. The effect of PEIs was maintained at long-term follow-up on depressive symptoms (SMD: -0.52, 95% CI [-1.54, -0.36], p = 0.0004). Similarly, the synthesised data suggest that PEIs are effective in improving coping skills. CONCLUSION The review provides evidence that PEIs effectively reduce negative psychological outcomes and improve coping skills in caregivers of children with cancer. However, due to methodological flaws and heterogeneity of the interventions evaluated, more research is needed to determine the most effective PEI design and improve the quality of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lophina Phiri
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - William Ho Cheung Li
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ankie Tan Cheung
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Patrick G M C Phiri
- Institute of Applied Technology, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Thomas S, Ryan NP, Byrne LK, Hendrieckx C, White V. Unmet supportive care needs of families of children with chronic illness: A systematic review. J Clin Nurs 2023; 32:7101-7124. [PMID: 37353963 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16806] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Unmet supportive care needs (SCN) refer to perceived gaps in the support parents want to manage caregiving activities for children with chronic health conditions (CHC) and the support received. This review aims to systematically identify the unmet SCN of families with children living with five common paediatric CHC and characterise the assessment tools used to measure SCN. DESIGN Systematic review methodology with narrative synthesis of data. Reporting followed the PRISMA statement guidelines. METHOD Literature searches were conducted in electronic databases Medline complete, PsycINFO, CINHAL and EMBASE to retrieve relevant articles published between 1990 and July 2022. Eligible studies involved (i) children aged 0-18 years diagnosed with either of cancer, congenital heart disease (CHD), diabetes, asthma, renal disease and (ii) assessment of unmet SCN. Studies involving children with genetic or developmental conditions were excluded. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using JBI assessment tool. RESULTS Of 6223 articles screened, 34 papers were included (25 quantitative, 5 qualitative and 4 mixed design). Most papers explored unmet needs of families with cancer (n = 26). The remaining articles concerned CHD (n = 5), asthma (n = 2) and mixed CHC (n = 1, renal failure, and diabetes). Information (e.g. treatment, lifestyle, etc.) and health care (e.g. emotional support, practical services, etc.) were the most common unmet need domains across health conditions. A variety of methods and need assessments hampered comparisons between studies both across and within CHC. CONCLUSION Irrespective of illness, addressing unmet informational or health care needs may help to optimise outcomes and care for children and families living with common CHC. There was considerable variation in reporting styles, study design and need assessments both within and across conditions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Health care professionals must routinely evaluate the type, quality and quantity of psychoeducation and support that families of children with CHC want and receive. Providing nurses with more effective strategies to assess child and family needs across a broad range of domains may help to increase understanding of where further support for families is required. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION There was no patient or public contribution to this study as it involved a systematic review of existing literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeetha Thomas
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas P Ryan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Linda K Byrne
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christel Hendrieckx
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Institute of Health Transformation, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Victoria White
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Scarponi D, Sarti P, Rivi V, Colliva C, Marconi E, Pession A, Blom JMC. Emotional, Behavioral, and Physical Health Consequences in Caregivers of Children with Cancer: A Network Analysis Differentiation in Mothers' and Fathers' Reactivity. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3496. [PMID: 37444606 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric cancer presents mental and physical challenges for patients and their caregivers. However, parental distress has been understudied despite its negative impact on quality of life, disability, and somatic disorders. Parents of oncopediatric patients experience high levels of suffering with their resilience tested throughout their children's illness. Identifying at-risk parents and offering specific treatments is crucial and urgent to prevent or alleviate negative outcomes. METHODS This study used statistical and network analyses to examine symptom patterns assessed by the Kellner Symptom Questionnaire in 16 fathers and 23 mothers at different time points: diagnosis, treatment, and discharge. RESULTS The results indicated significantly higher distress levels in parents of oncopediatric children compared to the control reference population. Gender-specific differences in symptom profiles were observed at each time point, and symptoms showed a gradual but non-significant decrease over time. CONCLUSIONS The network analysis yielded valuable insights that, when applied in clinical practice, can guide the implementation of timely treatments to prevent and manage parental distress, thus addressing long-term, stress-related issues in primary caregivers of children diagnosed and treated for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorella Scarponi
- Unità Operativa Pediatria Pession, IRSSC S. Orsola, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Sarti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Veronica Rivi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Marconi
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Johanna M C Blom
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Centre for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Bretones Nieto B, Pozo Muñoz C, Vázquez López MÁ. Needs Assessment in Parents of Children Affected by Cancer: A Qualitative Perspective. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9121957. [PMID: 36553400 PMCID: PMC9776725 DOI: 10.3390/children9121957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer is a "stressful experience" for parents in their role as caregivers. The aim of this study is to analyze the needs of a group of parents who have children diagnosed with cancer. The assessment looks at all areas of their daily life using a qualitative content analysis approach. METHODS This study uses open questions designed to investigate the main problems faced by the parents of children with cancer. All the answers were analyzed using MAXQDA 20 software. The study was conducted according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). RESULTS The content analysis of the answers from 13 mothers and 7 fathers is presented. The main themes as priority areas of need were: "informal social support", "coping", "stressors/imbalances" and "health problems". Dissatisfaction with the support provided from the informal network was detected. Although the participants expressed active coping, they also exhibited helplessness, as well as concerns regarding possible sequelae and the impact of this situation on the family's economic/work context. Conciliation problems were a source of stress. All this is consistent with the participants suffering from a variety of health issues. CONCLUSIONS the results show the effect of childhood cancer on different aspects of family life. They provide essential information for designing psychosocial interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Bretones Nieto
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Carmen Pozo Muñoz
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
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Mastronuzzi A, Basso A, Del Baldo G, Carai A, De Salvo A, Bonanni A, Ciaralli I, Secco DE, Cornaglia Ferraris P. Full Sails against Cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16609. [PMID: 36554488 PMCID: PMC9778763 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is very disruptive in adolescence and hospitalizations interfere with this development stage in becoming independent, developing social relationships, and making plans for the future. A major challenge in the care of adolescents with cancer is being able to enhance their quality of life. The aim of this project is to increase our understanding of how adventure therapy influenced quality of life for adolescents with cancer. METHODS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, in collaboration with the Tender to Nave Italia Foundation (TTNI), has been conducting a unique project, located on a beautiful brigantine of the Italian Navy. Adventure therapy is a form of experiential therapy that consists of various types of adventure, in particular outdoor and sailing activities. Ninety teenagers have been the protagonists of this project to date and filled out two questionnaires about quality of life and self-esteem, before and after the sailing experience. RESULTS The adventure provides the opportunity for the participants to build interpersonal relationships and develop life skills that they can benefit from in the future experiences. All participants report a significant improvement in their quality of life and self-esteem at the end of this experience. CONCLUSION This collaborative adventure project is a great way to learn and practice new behaviors, improve interpersonal skills, heal painful emotions, overcome personal obstacles and challenges, and help the teenagers to resume their developmental path after an onco-hematological diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Basso
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Del Baldo
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea De Salvo
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bonanni
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Italo Ciaralli
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Domitilla Elena Secco
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy
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