Caring for children undergoing radiotherapy treatment: Swedish radiotherapy nurses' perceptions

The aim was to explore radiotherapy nurses' perceptions of their experiences of caring for children undergoing radiotherapy treatment for cancer.

Semi-structured interviews of 12 nurses were conducted. The interviews were analysed using a phenomenographical approach.

All interviewees were women, and the group's mean age was 49 years. Caring for children during radiotherapy treatment was perceived as a complex task. Their perceptions included views on providing holistic care, creating a sense of security and being committed. Through holistic care the radiotherapy nurses took responsibility regarding care for the child and family, technical aspects of the radiotherapy procedure and the development of their profession. They tried to create a sense of security through individualized information and preparation, through teamwork with the child and family, and regarding anaesthetic personnel (if needed) while balancing the care they gave related to the child, to the family, to anaesthetic personnel, and to their own tasks. The radiotherapy nurses perceived themselves as committed in their care and reported being emotionally affected by sadness, but also joy.

By clarifying radiotherapy nurses perceptions of caring for children guidelines can be developed to lessen anxiety and increase the sense of security amongst children undergoing radiotherapy treatment and their family members.