Abstract
Information can help parents of children with cancer by reducing uncertainty and giving them a sense of control in a chaotic situation. Although providing information to parents is a core activity of paediatric oncology nursing, few studies focus on interventions for informing parents. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate parents' experiences after participating in a person-centred information intervention for parents of children with cancer. This study is part of a process evaluation of a person-centred informational intervention in paediatric oncology for patients' parents. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 13 parents who had taken part in the intervention were analysed using qualitative content analysis. An opening for healing emerged as the overarching theme, consisting of three categories. Gaining a deeper understanding of the entire situation describes how parents benefitted from processing current topics and moving forward by learning. Caring reflections in a safe space describes how parents appreciated having a moment just for themselves and feeling better by venting their feelings. Meeting a competent and compassionate nurse describes how parents experienced trust and being listened to. Having individual information meetings integrated as a primary nursing responsibility, mediated by competent and compassionate nurses also responsible for the care of the child, could enhance person-centred care and individualise parental education.
Highlights
When a child is diagnosed with cancer and starts to receive treat ment, the parents experience the situation as very demanding
In this area I have the most questions at the moment, it was very much the current situation that guided the topics [...] this choice was pretty difficult because the topics sort of blend together and I would have wanted to handle maybe three or four or five topics, sort of. (Father of a 4-year-old)
Integrating the caring aspects with the medical aspects is of utmost importance in facilitating opportunities for parents’ healing during their child’s treatment trajectory
Summary
When a child is diagnosed with cancer and starts to receive treat ment, the parents experience the situation as very demanding. Studies have shown that transitions between phases of the treatment increase parental uncer tainty, and that the discharge from hospital and end of treatment are challenging (Gunter and Duke, 2019; McGeehin Heilferty, 2018). At those times parents felt that they had to process a lot of in formation and they were scared or nervous about caring for their sick child at home (Rodgers et al, 2016a; Smith et al, 2018)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
