Young children's experiences of support when fearful during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia-A

Ingela Leibring1, Agneta Anderzén-Carlsson2

  • 1Institution for Health, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.

Nursing Open
|October 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children undergoing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treatment find support from parents crucial for managing fears. Healthcare professionals

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Child Psychology
  • Qualitative Research

Background:

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment presents significant fear and anxiety for young children.
  • Understanding children's perspectives on supportive care is vital for improving treatment experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore young children's experiences of valuable support in managing fears during acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treatment.
  • To specifically examine the roles of parents and healthcare professionals in providing this support.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative descriptive longitudinal study design.
  • Analysis of 35 interviews with 13 children at three distinct treatment phases.
  • Matrix-based data analysis adhering to Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Children valued parental closeness, advocacy, participation in care, and pain relief during procedures.
  • Support from healthcare professionals evolved from information provision to attentiveness to individual needs.
  • Children prioritized choices in medical procedures over major treatment decisions.

Conclusions:

  • Parental and healthcare professional support are essential for children with ALL, with distinct contributions.
  • Empowering children with choices in their care, particularly during procedures, enhances their sense of control and reduces fear.
  • Tailoring support strategies based on children's evolving needs and preferences is key to effective pediatric cancer care.
Abstract

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