A novel idea for an organized hospital/school program for children with malignancies: issues in implementation

The aim of this pilot study was to provide children with cancer hospitalized at the Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology of the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, with an educational program based on the SIOP guidelines. This would help them to follow the school program during the days of absence due to treatment. The realization of the initial idea generated difficulties that had to be overcome to achieve the goals and caused several changes in the program. Children refused to attend a regular class in the appropriately designed playroom of the Department but were very keen on room-to-room teaching that was adjusted to their needs and wills. This method of teaching was very well accepted by the children. A workup was done with parents and health professionals to convince them of the necessity of such a program and persuade them to participate in the procedure by encouraging children to attend it. Several steps have been taken and others have been planned for the teachers to receive education concerning the special needs of these children after dismissal from the hospital as well as that of their siblings to help in the reentry procedure. An adjustment to the personal needs of the hospitalized children with cancer, especially in areas where the psychosocial resources are minor, has proved very helpful and effective for the reentry of these children to regular school and social life.