Teacher Perceptions of a School-Based Support Program for Children with Cancer.

Abstract

Innovations in medicine have allowed children with cancer to attend school more frequently by increasing survival rates and improving access to outpatient therapies. Children with cancer still miss a significant proportion of school attendance and participation during treatment, thereby disrupting their educational experiences. "Monkey in My Chair" is a program in the United States that connects ill children with their schoolmates during illness-related absences to support their social relationships and eventual school re-entry into the school environment. However, little is known about how this program is perceived and experienced by participating schoolteachers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand teacher perceptions of the Monkey in My Chair program. One hundred and one teachers who participated in the program between 2012 and 2022 completed an electronic survey about their experiences. Overall, participants reported satisfaction with the program and indicated they would recommend it to other teachers. Most preferred and utilized components were the stuffed animal monkey and the perceived sense of connection it created among students. Participants suggested several areas in which the program can be improved, such as requesting more digital program components, expanding beyond the scope of oncology diagnoses, creating more developmentally appropriate materials, and including an instructional video. Future research is needed to understand all stakeholder experiences, including those of children with cancer and their classmates, to continue to evaluate and improve the Monkey in My Chair program.