|
|||||
|
|
Parents' experiences of handling oral anticancer drugs at home: ‘It all falls on me …’ |
|
| Authors: | Ranaa Akkawi El Edelbi MSc Pharm PhD Staffan Eksborg MSc Pharm PhD Ulrika Kreicbergs RN PhD Malin Lövgren RN PhD Klara Wallén MSc Pharm Jennie Ekman MSc Pharm Synnöve Lindemalm MD PhD |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;2. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Division of Pediatrics, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden;3. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stockholm, Sweden;4. Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stockholm, Sweden Advanced Pediatric Home Care, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden;5. Division of Pediatrics, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden;6. Division of Pediatrics, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden |
| Abstract: | AimThe aim of this study was to describe the experiences of parents handling oral anticancer drugs in a home setting.MethodsParents of children with cancer were recruited from a paediatric oncology ward in Sweden to participate in an interview. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to qualitative content analysis.ResultsWe found the following categories and subcategories: parents’ views on the provided information—lack of, too little or contradictory information, and parents’ preferences for information delivery; safety over time; correct drug dose; and drug administration. As time passed, most parents adapted to their child's illness, felt safer and found it easier to take in and process any given information. Parents preferred information in different formats (written, movie clips and orally) and in their mother tongue. Many parents were aware of the importance of giving an accurate dose to their child and described the process of drug administration as overwhelming.ConclusionParents need to be provided with accurate, timely, nonconflicting and repeated information—in different forms and in their mother tongue—on how to handle oral anticancer drugs at home. |
| Keywords: | experiences handling home oral anticancer drugs parents |