Scholarly record

THE PROBLEM OF ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ONCOLOGICAL TREATMENT IN CHILDREN

A. Filova, M. Babcakova, P. Kudlova

Abstract

Goal: The goal of this research project was to find with what kind of adverse effects parents most often deal with in their children who are undergoing oncological treatment, and whether these adverse effects affect bio-psycho-social needs of the children. Method: 130 parents of children undergoing oncological treatment partook in this research, using a nonstandardized questionnaire that was handed out to them at the Clinic of Child Hematology and Oncology of 2nd Medical School of Charles University (LF UK), University Hospital Motol (FN Motol), and at the Clinic of Child Oncology at the University Hospital in Brno. The questionnaire was also circulated electronically through our foundation fund and parents' association. The questionnaire survey was conducted between January and March 2016. Results: The survey showed that adverse effects of oncological treatment significantly affected the needs and life of both the children and their parents, but the results also showed that nurses in most cases tried to prevent such complications. We learned that parents perceived not only their children's physical complications during the treatment, but also the psychological ones such as mood changes, behavior changes, depressions, etc. that are often overlooked. Conclusion: Adverse effects of oncological treatment seriously complicate the life of an ill child and that of his/her parents too. It is up to the nurses to try and prevent such complications, eliminate them, and mentally support both the child and his/her parents. During treatment nurses should always treat such children with a lot of empathy, but professionally, too. The survey results showed that we should continue to deal with the problem of adverse effects of oncological treatment in children and study it in greater detail.

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