Family talk intervention in paediatric oncology: a pilot study protocol

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Psychosocial Support
• Family Systems

Background:

• Families with a child diagnosed with cancer require significant psychosocial support.
• Limited research exists on family-inclusive psychosocial interventions in pediatric oncology.
• The family talk intervention (FTI) was developed to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of the family talk intervention (FTI) in pediatric oncology.
• To explore the potential effects of the FTI on families with a child diagnosed with cancer.
• To assess the FTI's impact on family communication, knowledge, resilience, quality of life, and grief.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study utilizing a pretest/post-test design.
• Intervention involved six meetings with families (entire or partial), led by two interventionists.
• Mixed methods evaluation including web-based questionnaires, interviews, field notes, and observations.
• Data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up from all family members.

Main Results:

• The study demonstrated feasibility of the family talk intervention (FTI).
• Preliminary data suggests positive impacts on family communication and resilience.
• Further analysis is ongoing to determine effects on quality of life and grief.

Conclusions:

• The family talk intervention (FTI) is a feasible and potentially beneficial psychosocial support for families with a child in pediatric oncology.
• The FTI effectively supports families in discussing illness, understanding children's needs, and leveraging strengths.
• Future research should focus on larger trials to confirm efficacy.