Parents' Lived Experiences During Their Children's Radiotherapy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Psychosocial Support

Background:

• Radiotherapy is a critical cancer treatment for children, involving daily sessions over several weeks.
• Parents often find the experience of their child undergoing radiation therapy emotionally challenging.
• Understanding parental experiences is vital for improving care during pediatric cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of parents whose children are undergoing radiotherapy.
• To identify the emotional and practical challenges faced by parents during their child's cancer treatment.
• To inform clinical practice and support strategies for families.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, inductive design utilizing a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach.
• Ten parents kept daily diaries documenting their experiences during their child's radiotherapy.
• Qualitative analysis of diary entries to identify recurring themes and patterns.

Main Results:

• Parents described radiotherapy as a "balancing act" between protecting their child and managing their own despair and powerlessness.
• The act of protecting their children fostered a sense of hope and control among parents.
• Parents' efforts focused on coercing and protecting their children for better survival chances.

Conclusions:

• Parents' written reflections offer valuable insights for clinical practice in pediatric radiotherapy.
• Enhanced support is needed for parents, particularly in managing the dual roles of protection and coercion.
• Information and structured routines can empower parents and help them regain a sense of control during treatment.