An evaluation of the impact of a cancer support specialist service on families of children with cancer and the multidisciplinary team in a children's health service in Ireland.
Maryanne Murphy, Hugh Fulham-McQuillan, Agnes Higgins, Maria Brenner
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The onset of childhood cancer is sudden and unexpected, and the effect on the family unit can be enormous as they embark on a major life transition. Families of children with cancer have a high level of psychosocial needs due to the many challenges they may face during their child's cancer journey. Previous research indicates that the current healthcare system does not always meet these needs. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore the impact of a new Cancer Support Specialist Service from the perspective of the families and the multidisciplinary team. Data were collected using semi-structured one-to-one interviews. The impact on the family was increased emotional, practical, informational, and navigational support. The impact on the MDT included freeing up time for the clinical component of their work, decreasing worry that unmet needs for parents were not being addressed, and increasing access to timely flexible support for families. The knowledge advanced by this study can inform future planning of the Cancer Support Specialist Service.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Child Health Care is a broad ranging, international, professionally-oriented, interdisciplinary and peer reviewed journal. It focuses on issues related to the health and health care of neonates, children, young people and their families, including areas such as illness, disability, complex needs, well-being, quality of life and mental health care in a diverse range of settings. The Journal of Child Health Care publishes original theoretical, empirical and review papers which have application to a wide variety of disciplines.