Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and community
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J Child Health Care · Mar 2010
Students with brain tumors: their post-treatment perceptions of teachers, peers, and academics and retrospective views on school during treatment.
The purpose of this pilot study was: (1) to determine how students surviving brain tumors (BTs) perceive their teachers' responses to them, their own academic performance, and their interactions with peers at school using a new measure; and (2) to describe students' retrospective perceptions of schooling while undergoing treatment. Using a sample of 22 students treated for a BT (ages 9-18) and 22 comparison (ages 8-19), no significant BT-control group differences regarding perceptions of teacher response, academic performance, and interactions with peers at school were found. ⋯ Additionally, they felt that completing schoolwork during treatment was important. The results of this study may provide insight into the perceived psychosocial adjustment and academic performance of students with BTs during and after treatment.
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J Child Health Care · Mar 2010
Addressing end of life care issues in a tertiary treatment centre: lessons learned from surveying parents' experiences.
Much of the work in children's hospitals is rightly focused on treatments aimed towards cure but this means that death is often seen as a failure and, as such, it may not be discussed or acknowledged as a possibility until very late in a child's stay in hospital. However, this reluctance can deny the child and their family the opportunity to be informed, prepare and make choices. A survey of the care received by parents whose child had died in a children's tertiary treatment centre led to a greater understanding of the parents' experiences and the ways in which care could be enhanced. ⋯ The need for good communication that prepares parents for the eventuality that their child might or will die is one of the clearest lessons from the second survey. This is important as anticipatory guidance opens up parents - and children's - choices, and their opportunities to be involved and make decisions. More work needs to be undertaken in relation to continuing education of clinical staff, raising awareness of the resources available and empowering families by providing information.