Concurrent School Attendance And Cancer Therapy: The Experiences of 6-12 Year Old Pediatric Oncology Patients
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Cancer, Blood Cancer, Lymphoma, Leukemia |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Oncology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 6 - 12 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | August 2011 |
| End Date: | July 2012 |
Many children with cancer cannot participate regularly in school due to frequent
hospitalizations for treatment or treatment related effects such as pain, nausea, and
fatigue. Prior studies have shown that children with cancer desire to attend school while
receiving therapy despite these challenges, and that they report psychological and
psychosocial difficulties if unable to attend. While school attendance has been found to
correlate with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), self-efficacy beliefs, and
self-esteem, little is known about how children with cancer experience school attendance
while receiving active cancer therapy. The purpose of this study will be to explore how 6-12
year old children with cancer perceive school attendance pre and post diagnosis during
active therapy as measured at one-time point, 6 months (± 2months) into active therapy.
hospitalizations for treatment or treatment related effects such as pain, nausea, and
fatigue. Prior studies have shown that children with cancer desire to attend school while
receiving therapy despite these challenges, and that they report psychological and
psychosocial difficulties if unable to attend. While school attendance has been found to
correlate with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), self-efficacy beliefs, and
self-esteem, little is known about how children with cancer experience school attendance
while receiving active cancer therapy. The purpose of this study will be to explore how 6-12
year old children with cancer perceive school attendance pre and post diagnosis during
active therapy as measured at one-time point, 6 months (± 2months) into active therapy.
The primary objective of this study is to explore 6-12 year old pediatric oncology patients'
perceptions of their school experiences pre and post cancer diagnosis.
This study will utilize qualitative interview methods. Potential participants who meet
inclusion criteria will be approached by the principal investigator to obtain consent and
assent in accordance with institutional guidelines. Upon giving consent, the child will
participate in a one-hour audio-taped interview session with the principal investigator. The
interview session will begin with some general rapport building questions to help the child
grow comfortable with the interviewer, the interview room, and the interview format. The
rest of the interview will consist of questions pertaining to the child's school experiences
both before and during diagnosis and treatment for malignancy. The interview will conclude
with the child being asked to draw a picture of themselves at school before diagnosis, and
of themselves at school since being diagnosed. Demographic data will be collected from each
participant's medical chart pertaining to age, gender, ethnicity, diagnosis, and the type of
school attended before and after diagnosis and the principal investigator and study staff
involved in data coding will complete field note entries directly following the conclusion
of each interview or data coding session (see Appendix V). The participant's involvement in
the study will end at the conclusion of the interview session.
perceptions of their school experiences pre and post cancer diagnosis.
This study will utilize qualitative interview methods. Potential participants who meet
inclusion criteria will be approached by the principal investigator to obtain consent and
assent in accordance with institutional guidelines. Upon giving consent, the child will
participate in a one-hour audio-taped interview session with the principal investigator. The
interview session will begin with some general rapport building questions to help the child
grow comfortable with the interviewer, the interview room, and the interview format. The
rest of the interview will consist of questions pertaining to the child's school experiences
both before and during diagnosis and treatment for malignancy. The interview will conclude
with the child being asked to draw a picture of themselves at school before diagnosis, and
of themselves at school since being diagnosed. Demographic data will be collected from each
participant's medical chart pertaining to age, gender, ethnicity, diagnosis, and the type of
school attended before and after diagnosis and the principal investigator and study staff
involved in data coding will complete field note entries directly following the conclusion
of each interview or data coding session (see Appendix V). The participant's involvement in
the study will end at the conclusion of the interview session.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participant is 6-12 years of age at the time of diagnosis.
- Participant has a primary diagnosis of leukemia/lymphoma or solid tumor.
- Participant has been on therapy for six months (plus or minus 2 months) at the time
of enrollment on this protocol.
- Participant is able to read and speak English.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participant has not received any type of schooling services either in the home,
community, or hospital setting since diagnosis.
- Participant did not receive any type of schooling services prior to diagnosis.
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