[The care pathway of a child with leukaemia]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
• Childhood Cancer Research

Background:

• Childhood leukaemia affects approximately 500 children and their families in France each year.
• The diagnosis profoundly impacts family life, shifting focus to the disease.
• A unique patient-family-provider relationship develops during treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the evolving relationship between children with leukaemia, their families, and healthcare professionals.
• To understand the psychosocial dynamics within pediatric hematology-oncology departments.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of patient and family experiences.
• Longitudinal observation within a pediatric hematology-oncology setting.
• Interviews with healthcare staff.

Main Results:

• The diagnosis of leukaemia creates a shared journey for children and families.
• A distinct and evolving relationship is formed with the medical team.
• This relationship is crucial from diagnosis through long-term follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The journey of childhood leukaemia involves a significant psychosocial component.
• Strong therapeutic relationships are vital for supporting children and families.
• Further research into optimizing these relationships is warranted.