Problem-solving and coping in family adaptation of children with Down Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze problem-solving and coping strategies of parents of children with Down Syndrome in family adaptation. METHOD: This is a qualitative research that used the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation. Participants were mothers and/or fathers from 40 families of children aged 1 to 7 years diagnosed with DS. Directed content analysis was performed, supported by software and considering a code dictionary. RESULTS: Problem-solving and coping proved to be a set of actions, behaviors, efforts, and communications that contributed to family adaptation and favored balance between the demands imposed by Down Syndrome and the acquisition of resources by the family. CONCLUSION: In the first moment, which corresponds to the time of news or diagnosis of the syndrome and the first days after birth, internal and external resources, which represent coping, are developed to accept and refocus ideas and feelings towards Down Syndrome. Over time these resources have an effect and cause changes in family functioning patterns and in the relationship of these families with the outside world, as they seek child development.

Problem-solving and coping in family adaptation of children with Down Syndrome / Afrontamiento y resolución de problemas en la adaptación familiar de niños con Síndrome de Down / Coping e resolução de problemas na adaptação familiar de crianças com Síndrome de Down

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze problem-solving and coping strategies of parents of children with Down Syndrome in family adaptation. Method: This is a qualitative research that used the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation. Participants were mothers and/or fathers from 40 families of children aged 1 to 7 years diagnosed with DS. Directed content analysis was performed, supported by software and considering a code dictionary. Results: Problem-solving and coping proved to be a set of actions, behaviors, efforts, and communications that contributed to family adaptation and favored balance between the demands imposed by Down Syndrome and the acquisition of resources by the family. Conclusion: In the first moment, which corresponds to the time of news or diagnosis of the syndrome and the first days after birth, internal and external resources, which represent coping, are developed to accept and refocus ideas and feelings towards Down Syndrome. Over time these resources have an effect and cause changes in family functioning patterns and in the relationship of these families with the outside world, as they seek child development.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las estrategias de afrontamiento y resolución de problemas de los padres de niños con Síndrome de Down en la adaptación familiar. Método: Investigación cualitativa, que utilizó el Modelo de Resiliencia, Estrés, Ajuste y Adaptación Familiar. Madres y/o padres de 40 familias participantes, niños de 1 a 7 años y diagnosticados de Síndrome de Down. Se realizó análisis de contenido dirigido, apoyado por software, considerando un diccionario de códigos. Resultados: El afrontamiento y la resolución de problemas se reveló como un conjunto de acciones, comportamientos, esfuerzos y comunicaciones que contribuyeron a la adaptación familiar, favoreciendo el equilibrio entre las demandas impuestas por el síndrome de Down y la adquisición de recursos por parte de la familia. Conclusión: En el período inicial, que comprende el momento de la noticia o diagnóstico del síndrome y los días que comienzan después del nacimiento, se desarrollan los recursos internos y externos que representan el afrontamiento para aceptar y replantear ideas y sentimientos relacionados con el Síndrome de Down. Con el tiempo, estos recursos repercuten en cambios en los patrones de funcionamiento familiar y en la relación de estas familias con el mundo exterior, en la búsqueda del desarrollo infantil.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as estratégias de coping e resolução de problemas, de pais de crianças com Síndrome de Down, na adaptação familiar. Método: Investigação qualitativa, que utilizou o Modelo de Resiliência, Stress, Ajustamento e Adaptação Familiar. Participaram mães e/ou pais de 40 famílias, de crianças com idade entre 1 e 7 anos e diagnosticadas com Síndrome de Down. Realizou-se análise de conteúdo direcionada, apoiada por software , considerando um dicionário de códigos. Resultados: Coping e resolução de problemas se revelou como um conjunto de ações, comportamentos, esforços e comunicações que contribuíram para a adaptação familiar, favorecendo o equilíbrio entre as demandas impostas pela Síndrome de Down e a aquisição de recursos pela família. Conclusão: No período inicial, que compreende o momento da notícia ou diagnóstico da síndrome e os dias inicias após o nascimento, os recursos internos e externos que representam coping são desenvolvidos para aceitar e ressignificar ideias e sentimentos relacionados à Síndrome de Down. Ao longo do tempo, esses recursos repercutem em mudanças nos padrões familiares de funcionamento e na relação dessas famílias com o mundo externo, ao buscarem o desenvolvimento da criança.

Cancer pharmacogenomics, adoption by oncologists and patient benefit.

AIM: The study aim was to understand physician experience and factors influencing the adoption of cancer pharmacogenomic (caPGx) testing by oncologists practicing in academic and nonacademic settings. METHOD: Anonymous paper surveys were distributed to oncologists practicing in North Carolina (USA). RESULTS: Although 98% of oncologists see promise in utilizing PGx tests in their practice, few were comfortable with their knowledge (33%) or interpreting test results (37%). At one site, the survey was not distributed due to clinician unfamiliarity with the term 'pharmacogenomics'. Compared with oncologists in academia, community oncologists were more likely to order the new Oncotype Dx™ test for colon cancer (33% vs 0; p = 0.0071), more likely to indicate future use of caPGx tests (94 vs 75%; p = 0.012) and less likely to have never ordered a caPGx test (2 vs 35%%; p < 0.001). Nearly every oncologist was interested in additional PGx education. CONCLUSION: A critical need exists to disseminate accurate and updated caPGx information to oncologists practicing in both academic and nonacademic settings.

Institutional profile. UNC Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy: interdisciplinary research for individual care.

The Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy (IPIT) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC, USA) is a collaborative, multidisciplinary unit that brings together faculty from different disciplines and crosses the traditional departmental/school structure to perform pharmacogenomics research. IPIT investigators work together towards the goal of developing therapies to enable the delivery of individualized medical care. The NIH-supported Comprehensive Research on Expressed Alleles in Therapeutic Evaluation (CREATE) group leads the field in the evaluation of pathways regulating drug activity, and also provides a foundation for future IPIT research. IPIT members perform bench research, clinical cohort analysis and prospective clinical intervention studies, research on the integration of pharmacogenomic therapy into practice and research to foster global health pharmacogenomics application through the Pharmacogenetics for Every Nation Initiative. IPIT Investigators are actively incorporating a pharmacogenomics curriculum into existing teaching programs at all levels.