Integration of child life into adult oncology: A mixed-methods feasibility study

Cancer in a loved one can have negative effects on child health and development. Child Life Specialists (CLSs) specialize in assisting children understand and cope with difficult medical scenarios but are generally not available in adult care facilities to support the needs of patient-families with minor children. We conducted a mixed-methods study of the implementation of a pilot CLS program at a tertiary oncology centre.

We collected administrative and clinical data on referred families; encounter data; and patient-reported questionnaire data before and 2 months after engagement with the program.

Over the initial 10 months, 98 families were referred, 91 of whom engaged through a total of 257 clinical encounters. The cancer patient in the family was most commonly a woman with a mean age of 45 years and in the role of mother. Breast cancer was the most common diagnosis (24%) and 78% of patients had stage IV disease. Most families had >1 child at home, and children were most commonly school-aged (5-14y). Phone and Hospital/Clinic visits accounted for the largest portion of CLS time. Interventions ranged from diagnosis education through to bereavement support. Most cancer patients indicated that the program was helpful to them and their families. There were trends of moderate improvements on patient reported outcomes.

Our study was able to provide an understanding of the initial CLS program operations to guide program development and future study. Such a program holds promise as an important aspect of adult oncology family-centered care.