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Children Undergoing Radiotherapy: Swedish Parents' Experiences and Suggestions for Improvement
Charlotte Ångström-Brännström1, Gunn Engvall2, Tara Mullaney3
1Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
Parents
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Family-Centered Care
Background:
- Approximately 300 children in Sweden are diagnosed with cancer annually, with 80-90 requiring radiotherapy.
- Limited research exists on pediatric patients' and parents' perspectives on radiotherapy.
- This study is part of a multicenter initiative to enhance pediatric radiotherapy preparation and care environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parents' experiences during their child's radiotherapy treatment.
- To gather parents' recommendations for improving the radiotherapy experience for children.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews with 16 mothers and 16 fathers of children aged 2-16 undergoing radiotherapy.
- Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data.
Main Results:
- Cancer diagnosis and treatment significantly disrupt family life, causing intense emotions and perceived child suffering.
- Parents reported that skilled and empathetic staff aided their coping process.
- A key theme was the transition from despair to security, driven by focus and interaction with the child.
Conclusions:
- Parents experience significant distress at the commencement of radiotherapy.
- Over time, parents develop coping mechanisms and a sense of security throughout the treatment process.
- Parental involvement and supportive staff are crucial for navigating pediatric radiotherapy.
Abstract:
Approximately 300 children, from 0 to 18 years old, are diagnosed with cancer in Sweden every year. Of these children, 80-90 of them undergo radiotherapy treatment for their cancer. Although radiotherapy is an encounter with advanced technology, few studies have investigated the child's and the parent's view of the procedure. As part of an ongoing multicenter study aimed to improve patient preparation and the care environment in pediatric radiotherapy, this article reports the findings from interviews with parents at baseline. The aim of the present study was twofold: to describe parents' experience when their child undergoes radiotherapy treatment, and to report parents' suggestions for improvements during radiotherapy for their children. Sixteen mothers and sixteen fathers of children between 2-16 years old with various cancer diagnoses were interviewed. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings showed that cancer and treatment turns people's lives upside down, affecting the entire family. Further, the parents experience the child's suffering and must cope with intense feelings. Radiotherapy treatment includes preparation by skilled and empathetic staff. The parents gradually find that they can deal with the process; and lastly, parents have suggestions for improvements during the radiotherapy treatment. An overarching theme emerged: that despair gradually turns to a sense of security, with a sustained focus on and close interaction with the child. In conclusion, an extreme burden was experienced around the start of radiotherapy, though parents gradually coped with the process.
