How Classmates Experience Visiting Their Hospitalised Peer During Cancer Treatment: A RESPECT Study.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To explore how classmate 'ambassadors' experienced and engaged in social interaction while visiting a hospitalised peer undergoing cancer treatment.

Design

A phenomenological-hermeneutic inspired exploratory study.

Methods

Using on-the-go semi-structured interviews and participant observations from January to December 2023 in Denmark, we included 27 school-aged ambassadors aged 6-18 years old; 18 participated in pre- and post-visit interviews, while all 27 took part in observations during 19 visits. Van Manen's phenomenological-hermeneutic approach guided thematic analysis.

Results

Six themes emerged: (1) visiting the hospital, (2) being supportive, (3) aligning expectations, (4) being unsure, (5) safeguarding the relationship and (6) leaving the hospital.

SUBMITTER: Boensvang NN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810625 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature