Date of Award

12-20-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Policy and Management

First Advisor

Dr. Tazeen Saeed Ali

Second Advisor

1

Third Advisor

71

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: The literature suggests that cancerous cells can cause more than 100 diseases in different parts of the body that is likely to induce a significant threat to life. Researchers have identified that pediatric cancers tend to be more destructive and rapidly grow than adult cancer, as it approximates around 9000 pediatric cancer cases each year. For this purpose, children diagnosed with cancer require special care and proper parental/caregiver education. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize educational needs among parents to provide them with intensive and specialized guidance in the initial phase.
Objective: This study aims to identify the educational needs of patients and families of newly diagnosed pediatric cancers.
Study Design: The nature of the current research is qualitative, where an exploratory study design is employed to ascertain the needs of educating patients and families related to childcare at a Private Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi. Through purposive sampling, a total of ten participants were selected to conduct one-on-one interviews with parents, cancer children, nurses, and a doctor. The nurse manager of the oncology department was also interviewed as a key informant of the study.
Results: The content analysis of qualitative data signifies four themes in the study that were 1. severe mental distress in family and children with newly diagnosed Pediatric Cancers, 2. the necessity of a multidisciplinary team for education, 3. limited access to resources leading to gaps in education, and 4. lack of adequate psychosocial support system. The long duration and side effects of treatment, expensive procedures, and patients' vulnerability produce significant stress in families. It further shows that approachability to educational resources, educative group sessions, and a professional Psychologist within a multidisciplinary team are lacking.
Conclusion: The initial phase of cancer diagnosed in children is the most likely challenge which demands sufficient individualized education. At most, patients' family needs 5 information related to the disease and prevention, side effects of treatment, and coping responses to stress that occur due to cancer.

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