title: Understanding the supportive care needs of parents of children with cancer: an approach to local needs assessment.
abstract: The objective of this study was to conduct an assessment of supportive care needs from the perspective of parents of children diagnosed with cancer within an urban-rural region in Eastern Ontario, Canada. Guided by a conceptual framework for supportive care, the exploratory, mixed-method study used a standard needs survey and semistructured interviews. Fifteen parents completed (75% response rate) the survey, and 3 parents participated as key informants in the follow-up interview. Parents reported needs in all 6 of the need categories outlined within the Supportive Care Needs Framework. The proportion of parents expressing a need ranged from 23% to 39%. Dealing with the fear of their child's cancer spreading was frequently identified by parents. Emotional and informational needs were the 2 most frequently acknowledged categories of need. With further refinement, the use of the conceptual framework will provide a methodology for planning care based on the individual needs identified by parents of children with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Queen's University, School of Nursing, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. kerrl@post.queensu.ca
authors.forename: Laura M J
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Margaret B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Medves
authors.forename: Joan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tranmer
authors.forename: Margaret I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Fitch
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D002648:Child; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009864:Ontario; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires