Effectiveness of the model for providing cancer children and their parents with information on the disease

*Marzena Samardakiewicz, Jerzy R. Kowalczyk

Summary
Summary
Purpose: In our study we try to evaluate the effectiveness of the model for providing cancer children and their parents with information on the disease. Reported by the children and their parents knowledge on cancer diagnosis and its understanding were established as a criterion of the efficacy in our model.
Patients and Procedure: In total 139 children diagnosed with cancer and 139 parents entered the study. The questionnaires items were related to the range of information obtained on the disease. The course of the informing procedure was also noted. The children were asked with the open-ended questions in which were explained the reasons of their admission to the onco-/haematology ward. Patients and their parents" questionnaires as well as protocol report forms were analysed concurrently.
Results: Among informed 103 children the information was given according to the protocol and consent of parents to most of them (78.6%). The convergence between parent´s and child reports was found in 62.3% informed children group and in 16.9% non-informed group. A little more than a half of the "informed” children (56.4%) did not need more information on their disease; however the other (43.6%) expected additional information.
Conclusions: A unified procedure presentation the full information about cancer diagnosis to parents and children is worthy to continue; however the monitoring system of the illness understanding is necessary.

To jest tylko fragment artykułu. Aby przeczytać całość, przejdź do Czytelni medycznej.