Parent reactions to childhood malignant diseases: experience in Sweden

The parents of eight children who had died of malignant diseases were interviewed about their experiences concerning the medical and social care of the children. There was a great need for repeated and thorough information about the disease and the therapy to all in the family. The risk of isolation of the family could be diminished by active measures. There was a great need for continuity with only a few key people involved in the care. It proved important to recognize at an early stage the economical and social problems of the family and to help the family to solve them.