title: Familial diagnostic experiences in paediatric oncology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnostic delays may not have significant prognostic implications in paediatric oncology, but psychological impacts remain understudied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews exploring diagnostic experiences were conducted with childhood cancer survivors (n=19), parents (n=78) and siblings (n=15).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median diagnostic time was 3 weeks. Participants described a mixture of rapid diagnoses (28.9%), plus delayed appraisal intervals (that is, parent- or patient-associated diagnostic delays; 40.0%) and diagnostic intervals (that is, healthcare-associated delays; 46.7%). Families experiencing delays described guilt and anger and deleterious impacts on the family-clinician relationship. Some believed delays impacted on treatment and prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of the diagnostic experience can be considerable.
authors.affiliation: 1] Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital High Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia [2] Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: 1] Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital High Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia [2] Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.affiliation: 1] Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital High Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia [2] Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: McLoone
authors.affiliation: 1] Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital High Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia [2] Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cohn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D017741:Survivors; D055815:Young Adult