Children receiving chemotherapy at home: perceptions of children and parents.
The aim of this descriptive exploratory study was to determine the perspectives of parents and children with cancer on a home chemotherapy program. Qualitative analyses were used to organize data from 24 parents and 14 children into emerging themes. Themes included (1) financial and time costs, (2) disruption to daily routines, (3) psychological and physical effects, (4) recommendations and caveats, and (5) preference for home chemotherapy. When home chemotherapy was compared with hospital clinic-based chemotherapy, parents reported fewer financial and time costs and less disruption to their work and family schedules, and children reported more time to play/study, improved school attendance, and engagement in normal activities. Although some parents felt more secure with hospital chemotherapy, most found it more exhausting and stressful. At home, children selected places for their treatment and some experienced fewer side effects. Although some coordination/communication problems existed, the majority of parents and children preferred home chemo-therapy. Home chemotherapy treatment is a viable, acceptable, and positive health care delivery alternative from the perspective of parents and children with cancer.
Stevens
Bonnie
B
Faculty of Nursing and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. b.stevens@utoronto.ca
McKeever
Patricia
P
Law
Madelyn P
MP
Booth
Marilyn
M
Greenberg
Mark
M
Daub
Stacey
S
Gafni
Amiram
A
Gammon
Janet
J
Yamada
Janet
J
Epstein
Iris
I
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009864:Ontario; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents