Challenges of Parents While Providing Complex Medical Care at Home to Children With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Convergent Mixed Methods Study.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To explore challenges parents of children with cancer encounter while providing complex medical care at home.

Methods

Design: Cross-sectional convergent mixed-methods study.

Instruments

Questionnaire and open interviews that mirrored and complemented each other.

Results

Parents (n = 32), with no prior medical training, were expected to remain constantly vigilant as they monitored and managed rapidly changing situations. Regardless of time from diagnosis, they detected a mean of 3.3 ± 1.4 (0-6) symptoms, reported administering up to 22 daily medications, including cytotoxics, narcotics and injections, and dealt with many related challenges. Parents described needing responsive communication channels, especially when dealing with bleeding and infection emerge

SUBMITTER: Shyman RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862524 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature