Psychosocial Issues and Care in Pediatric Oncology

Abstract

Specifically, they suggest the need for more formal training on psychosocial issues for medical and nursing professionals, for additional experienced psychosocial professionals to be recruited, and for more access to services for both families and medical and nursing professionals.

Comparing doctors' and nurses' accounts of how they provide emotional care for parents of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

“…The intimacy of the relationship nurses developed with families and the value they placed on their personal connection make it more likely that, compared with doctors, nurses might inadvertently encourage parents' dependence upon them for emotional support. Previous evidence supports this study's finding that nurses feel responsible for providing emotional care for parents and that doctors and nurses both perceive this as an area in which nurses take responsibility . Nurses' relationships with families can be a source of job‐related stress , particularly for those with less experience .…”

Social support during childhood cancer treatment enhances quality of life at survival [El apoyo social durante el cáncer infantil favorece la calidad de vida en periodo de supervivencia]

“…In this sense, a valid and genuine patient-health provider relationship during the active phase of treatment has shown to have lasting effects on HRQoL survivorship, as stated by other authors (Anderzen-Carlsson, Kihlgren, Skeppner, & Sorlie, 2007;Eilerstsen et al, 2009;Kiernan, Meyler & Guerin, 2010). Specifically, in the present study it has been found that those survivors perceiving higher emotional support from nurses were also those who showed higher HRQoL scores in survivorship.…”

“…Specifically, in the present study it has been found that those survivors perceiving higher emotional support from nurses were also those who showed higher HRQoL scores in survivorship. Consequently, care behavior from health providers has proved to have direct effects on HRQoL of patients beyond hospitalization (Anderzen-Carlsson et al, 2007;Arora, 2003;Eilersten et al, 2009;Kiernan et al, 2010;Stewart, 1995). Besides, a restricted use of the coping strategy of social action (characterized by a personal seek for social resources to handle personal, developmental age issues and cancer-related issues and worries) has proved to be also effective to cope with cancer during the process and helps to adjust and foster HRQoL once patients' are in survivorship.…”

An invisible patient: Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on caring for adolescents and young adults who have a sibling with cancer

“…An interview guide was developed drawing from research on HCPs' perceptions of paediatric psychosocial oncology (Kiernan et al, 2010) and an assessment tool on the evaluability of models of care (Davidson, Halcomb, Hickman, Philips, & Graham, 2006).…”

“…The importance of addressing the psychosocial challenges faced by AYA siblings as part of comprehensive family care has been highlighted (Alderfer et al, 2010;Australian Government, Cancer Australia, & CanTeen, 2008;Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2011); ongoing assessment and monitoring of AYA siblings' distress and unmet needs is central to the development and provision of effective targeted services (Nolbris, Enskar, & Hellstrom, 2014). However, family-and sibling-focussed services are currently lacking(Australian Government et al, 2008;Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2011), and means are limited for the health system to address even the mental health needs of patients (Kiernan, Meyler, & Guerin, 2010;Rushton, Bruckman, & Kelleher, 2002). This is complicated by the general absence of AYA siblings from hospitals, and the transport burden placed on parents if siblings are to access hospital-based services (Alderfer et al, 2010;Patterson, Medlow, & McDonald, 2015).…”