Realities and ideals: Experiences and needs of pediatric oncology nurses in communication processes with children and their families at the end-of-life period: A photovoice qualitative study.

Effective communication in end-of-life care for pediatric cancer patients is crucial. Yet, limited research focuses on the communication experiences of pediatric oncology nurses during this period. This study aims to investigate the communication experiences and needs of these nurses with children and their families during the end-of-life period. A qualitative study design with photo voice methodology was followed. The research was conducted with 16 pediatric oncology nurses working in the pediatric oncology wards of a university hospital between January and May 2023. Data were collected the "Characteristic Information Form", "Semi-Structured Interview Form", and photovoice methodology. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Most of the nurses are at the undergraduate level, and their working experience in pediatric oncology wards ranges from 4 months to 17 years. Seven main themes emerged: Optimistic Communication-Interaction, Mindfulness, Active Coping, Behavioral Actions, Death Uncertainty Dilemma, Interpersonal and Environmental Factors, and Discrepancy between Ideals and Reality. The study sheds light on the importance of pediatric oncology nurses' ideals versus realities upstream approach in communicating with end-of-life children and their families, empowering pediatric oncology nurses on the journey to ideal end-of-life care.

Back to school readiness scale for children with oncological problems: 7-18 years of age.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood cancers are one of the important health problems in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The cancer treatment process is a difficult period that can last for months or years, interrupt school activities for a while, or even cause them to leave completely, and require long-term hospitalization. PURPOSE: This study was carried out to develop the Back to School Readiness Scale for Children with Oncological Problems: 7-18 years of age, and to establish its validity and reliability. METHOD: The research is a methodological study and the validity and reliability study of a developed scale was conducted. RESULTS: Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value was determined as 0.951. As a result of Bartlett's test analysis, Chi-Square value is 6261.566, degree of freedom is 703 and the value found is significant (p = 0.00, p < 0.05). While the loadings of the items on the first factor vary between 0.79 and 0.46, the loads on the second factor vary between 0.76 and.47. The item-total-test correlation value is 0.63. Total Croncabh alpha (α) value of the scale is 0.97. CONCLUSION: Back to School Readiness Scale for Children with Oncological Problems: 7-18 years of age is a valid and reliable measurement tool. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Returning to school is a difficult process for children living with cancer due to long-term hospitalization. This scale can be used by both pediatric nurses and school nurses to evaluate children's return to school. Additionally, children and families can get an idea about preparing for returning to school by applying this scale.

The effect of technology-based interventions on child and parent outcomes in pediatric oncology: A systemic review of experimental evidence.

Objective: In recent years, childhood cancers have become an increasingly important health problem worldwide. Evidence shows that technology-based interventions in pediatric oncology are effective, feasible, and acceptable. However, studies in this field are limited. This systematic review was planned to examine the available evidence for the impact of technology-based interventions on children, adolescents with cancer patients, and their parents. Methods: In the systematic review, studies published between 2014 and 2023 from The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus with Full Text, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, ProQuest PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were identified using a search strategy. Six studies by the criteria were examined in terms of the technology-based intervention, the intervention's duration, the follow-up period, significant findings, and the theory used in the intervention. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were used to evaluate the quality of the studies. In this systematic review, preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Results: A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria: five randomized controlled trials and one quasi-experimental study. In studies for children with cancer, it was determined that the children were between the ages of 6 and 18. It has been determined that technology-based interventions mostly consist of electronic health interventions such as web-based interventions, virtual reality, and digital and mobile health interventions such as messaging, phone contact, and smartphone applications. In the studies, the intervention period ranged from 1 to 1.5 â€‹h and 10 weeks, and the follow-up periods ranged from 12 weeks to 6 months. In studies for parents, it was observed that the intervention durations ranged from 8 to 12 weeks, and the follow-up periods varied between 3 and 12 months. In most of the studies, technology-based applications have positive effects on the physical and psychological (symptom management, anxiety, stress, coping, and quality of life) problems of children and adolescents. Technology-based interventions affect parents' knowledge levels and coping skills, psychosocial symptoms (anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and caregiver burden), resilience, social support, and self-efficacy. Conclusions: Technology-based interventions have been effective in improving physical and psychological symptoms in children with cancer, and parents' coping and psychosocial symptoms. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of studies, small sample sizes, and high heterogeneity. Comprehensive and high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to obtain the best evidence for the effectiveness of technology-based interventions in pediatric oncology. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number was CRD42022297664.

The effect of mindfulness-based mandala activity on anxiety and spiritual well-being levels of senior nursing students: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based mandala activity on the anxiety levels and spiritual well-being of nursing students who started clinical practice after distance education during COVID-19 period. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled study employing a pre-/posttest design with a single-blind, parallel group. The study was completed with a total of 170 participants (n = 84, intervention group; n = 86, control group). Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, State-trait Anxiety Inventory, Spirituality Well-Being Scale, and Scale of Positive and Negative Experience. The intervention group participated in three mindfulness-based mandala sessions. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05053178. FINDINGS: In three sessions, there was a significant decrease in the intervention group compared with the control group regarding the mean values of pretest and posttest anxiety levels. Evaluation of the mean scores Spiritual Well-Being Scale before and after the intervention showed a significant decrease in the scores between groups (p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: With mindfulness-based mandala activity, the well-being of nursing students can be increased.

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Paediatric Cancer Coping Scale (PCCS).

BACKGROUND: To determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Paediatric Cancer Coping Scale, a scaling tool that has three subscales (cognitive coping, problem-oriented coping and defensive coping) and was developed to examine the coping strategies of children with a cancer diagnosis. DESIGN: This psychometric evaluation study focused on validity and reliability assessment of a scale between November 2018 and May 2019. METHODS: Study sample consisted of 165 children with cancer aged 7- to 18-years followed up in the outpatient clinics of a children's hospital. The retest sample consisted of 85 children. Data were collected using a Descriptive Characteristics Form and the Turkish version of the Paediatric Cancer Coping Scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and total item correlation were calculated for internal consistency reliability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine construct validity. RESULTS: The total Cronbach's alpha (α) of the Turkish version of the Paediatric Cancer Coping Scale was 0.77. According to exploratory factor analysis, the Paediatric Cancer Coping Scale has three subscales (cognitive coping, problem-oriented coping and defensive coping). Our results showed a positive and statistically significant correlation between the scale total, cognitive coping and problem-oriented coping scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the Paediatric Cancer Coping Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to assess coping styles in paediatric cancer patients. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? There is no measurement tool in Turkey to examine coping skills of children with a cancer diagnosis. The number of children diagnosed with cancer is increasing day by day. The children who use coping methods effectively during the disease may be better adapted to treatment. What this paper adds? This study is used to define coping skills of children diagnosed with cancer. Defining the level of children's coping with cancer can enable the child to be guided to receive psychosocial support. The implications of this paper Once the coping skills/levels of children can be measured, those who need help/assistance can be helped. This study will help nurses to identify coping levels of children with a cancer diagnosis. Nurses will be able to evaluate the psychosocial status of children using an objective measurement tool and make a care plan.

Meaning and Affecting Factors of Spirituality in Adolescents.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of adolescents about spirituality via semistructured, in-depth interviews. Method/Design: A qualitative research design using interviews was performed with 17 adolescents in a mostly Muslim region in Turkey. Interviews were conducted via five open-ended questions. Findings: Three main categories and eight themes emerged from the analysis. The "Spirituality Meaning" category included five themes, such as mind, emotions, mind/emotions, ethical principles, and religion. Personal practices and environmental factors as well as mind, emotions, ethical principles, and religion themes were in the "Factors That Increase Spirituality" category. The theme living negativity was in the "Factors That Decrease Spirituality" category. Most of the adolescents (58.8%) stated that the meaning of spirituality was love, respect, and the ability to think, analyze, and synthesize. Conclusion: It is important to determine and evaluate the perceptions and experiences of children about spirituality in different cultures to improve the quality of care.

The effect of drawing and writing technique on the anxiety level of children undergoing cancer treatment.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of the drawing and writing technique on the anxiety level of children undergoing cancer treatment in hospital. METHOD: Research was conducted in the haematology-oncology clinic of a university hospital, using a quasi-experimental design (pre-and-post intervention evaluations of a single group). The sample comprised 30 hospitalised children aged 9-16 years. Data were collected with Socio-demographic form, clinical data form, and the State Anxiety Inventory. The institution gave written approval for the study and parents provided written consent. Drawing, writing and mutual story-telling techniques were used as part of a five-day programme. Children were asked to draw a picture of a hospitalised child and write a story about this drawing. After drawing and writing, mutual storytelling were used to more constructive story with positive feelings. The drawing, writing techniques was implemented on the first and third days of the programme and mutual storytelling was implemented on the second and fourth days. Data were reported as percentages and frequencies and the intervention effect analysed with the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The average age of children was 12.56 years ± 2.67 and 76.7% were girls. The mean age diagnosis and mean treatment duration were 11.26 years ± 3.17 and 16.56 months ± 20.75 respectively. Most of the children (50%) had leukaemia and were receiving chemotherapy (66.7%). In most cases (76.7%) the mother was the primary caregiver. Scores on the State Anxiety Inventory were lower-indicating lower anxiety-after the intervention (36.86 ± 4.12 than before it (40.46 ± 4.51) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic intervention reduced children's state anxiety.

Information-seeking behaviours and decision-making process of parents of children with cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the information-seeking behaviours, perceptions and decision-making experiences of parents of children with cancer by employing semi-structured interviews. METHODS AND SAMPLE: A qualitative research design was used to assess the information-seeking behaviours, perceptions and decision-making processes used by parents in Turkey whose children have cancer. Interviews were conducted with 15 parents of children with cancer using a semi-structured interview schedule. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: Six main issues emerged. Issues were related to parents' information needs, the sources of information, difficulties that the parents encountered when seeking information, the decision-making process, the factors affecting decision-making, and expectations from the health team. Information resources for parents included medical doctors and nurses, the internet, friends and the parents of other children who were staying in the hospital. The parents mostly sought information about their child's illness, prognoses, treatment, side-effects and care giving issues. The parents expressed that they were directed primarily by health care providers during their decision-making process. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate and systematic information pertaining to illness, treatment, prognosis and child care must be provided by health care professionals throughout the illness process. In addition, individual guidance and spare time are key components to helping parents make decisions about their children with cancer.