Nurses’ realisation of an inadequate toolbox for approaching adolescents with a parent suffering from cancer: A constructivist grounded theory study

Abstract

How to approach adolescents (aged 13–18 years) when their parent is suffering from cancer has become a relevant issue in healthcare, as parental cancer may have an impact on adolescents’ health and development. Nurses are well positioned to identify adolescents’ needs and provide information and support to them but often feel ill equipped to approach them appropriately. The aim of this study was to explore nurses’ experiences of approaching adolescents whose parent had cancer. Interviews with 12 nurses were conducted and analysed in line with a constructivist grounded theory approach. Nurses made efforts to create welcoming environments for adolescents but realised that the contact was unsatisfactory. Primarily, the nurses offered face-to-face conversations with adolescents, which did not correspond with adolescents’ communication channels. To better provide information and support to adolescents, nurses must expand their nursing toolbox so that it is better adapted to adolescents’ communication channels.

A Conceptual Model Depicting How Children Are Affected by Parental Cancer: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach

“…Yet, parents’ parenting ability is often affected, and they want clinical help supporting children’s coping and developmental outcomes [ 21 , 55 , 56 ]. However, fears and barriers render HPs reluctant to broach the subject of patients’ children [ 21 , 55 , 57 ]. Our novel findings advance the literature by elucidating the underlying processes which contribute to these outcomes, and which have informed the development of our explanatory model.…”

Experiencing Parental Cancer: A Case Study With Application of Neuman’s Model

“…Despite the recognition of this specific population's needs, health professionals point out barriers to the incorporation of interventions in clinical practice, namely: time pressure; non-inclusion of parental role in clinical assessment; structural and emotional barriers; fear of causing suffering; lack of confidence and lack of knowledge to deal with the situation 20 . However, the structural assessment of patients' family, identifying the presence of children/adolescents in the household is a duty 20 , so nursing interventions should include the dyad, supporting parents to deal with their children, alleviating their concerns, and minimizing the impact of PC along the disease trajectory 20,21 .…”

Vivência Do Cancro Parental: Estudo De Caso Com Aplicação Do Modelo De Neuman

“…Apesar do reconhecimento das necessidades desta população específica, os profissionais de saúde apontam barreiras para a incorporação de intervenções na prática clínica, designadamente: pressão do tempo; não inclusão do papel parental na avaliação clínica; barreiras estruturais e emocionais; medo de causar sofrimento; falta de confiança e défice de conhecimento para lidar com a situação 20 . No entanto, a avaliação estrutural familiar do doente, identificando a presença de crianças/ adolescentes no agregado familiar constitui um dever 20 , pelo que as intervenções de enfermagem devem incluir a díade, apoiando os pais a lidar com os filhos, aliviando as suas preocupações, e minimizando o impacto do CP ao longo da trajetória da doença [20][21] .…”