Characterizing the need for childcare support for cancer patients through health care providers' experiences: a...

Approximately one in five newly diagnosed cancer patients is between the typical childrearing ages of 20 and 54. As such, a significant portion of cancer patients are also parents to young children (age < 18). This study aims to characterize the need for childcare support for cancer patients from the perspective of healthcare professionals providing care at a major Canadian cancer center.

Healthcare providers (HCP) were invited to partake in semi-structured telephone interviews, which were conducted using an interview guide. The interviews explored what specific benefits supportive childcare interventions could offer, as well as what might constitute optimal delivery. Interview transcript data was interpreted using thematic analysis.

In total, 28 HCPs participated in interviews between April and May 2022. A wide range of providers was engaged, including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. Providers indicated that the introduction of supportive childcare services could have benefits including reduced stress for their patients, improved system efficiency and treatment compliance, and reduction of provider burnout.

These findings indicate that childcare issues are perceived by HCPs as a source of stress for cancer patients with children, and that benefits may be associated with the introduction of supportive childcare services. As such, cancer centers could consider the implementation of such services as a way of providing patient-centered care.