title: Results of a nurse-led intervention: connecting pediatric cancer patients from the hospital to the school using videoconferencing technologies.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility and perceived academic/psychosocial outcomes of a pilot program using videoconferencing facilities to connect children with cancer to their home school. Eight parents, three patients, and five teachers (n = 16) participated in semistructured interviews evaluating the efficacy/feasibility of this program. Results were analyzed using the qualitative framework of Miles and Huberman. Parents reported that videoconferencing provided the family with a sense of normalcy and connection to the outside world (4/8), often boosting patients' mood (6/8). Further benefits included stronger relationships with classmates and teachers (15/16) and improved peer acceptance and school reintegration. There were no notable impacts on patients' academic progression. Reported barriers included: costs, time commitments, bureaucratic hurdles, and technical and logistical difficulties. Videoconferencing technologies provide an important tool to connect childhood cancer patients to their classrooms; however, further solution-based investigation is warranted to overcome existing barriers.
authors.affiliation: 1Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drew
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.forename: Samra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Saikal
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Punch
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cohn
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D012574:Schools; D049269:Videoconferencing
keywords: education; intervention studies; pediatric oncology; psychology; social networking