A moment just for me - parents' experiences of an intervention for person-centred information in paediatric oncology.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Information can help parents of children with cancer by reducing uncertainty and giving them a sense of control in a chaotic situation. Although providing information to parents is a core activity of paediatric oncology nursing, few studies focus on interventions for informing parents. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate parents' experiences after participating in a person-centred information intervention for parents of children with cancer. METHOD: This study is part of a process evaluation of a person-centred informational intervention in paediatric oncology for patients' parents. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 13 parents who had taken part in the intervention were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: An opening for healing emerged as the overarching theme, consisting of three categories. Gaining a deeper understanding of the entire situation describes how parents benefitted from processing current topics and moving forward by learning. Caring reflections in a safe space describes how parents appreciated having a moment just for themselves and feeling better by venting their feelings. Meeting a competent and compassionate nurse describes how parents experienced trust and being listened to. CONCLUSION: Having individual information meetings integrated as a primary nursing responsibility, mediated by competent and compassionate nurses also responsible for the care of the child, could enhance person-centred care and individualise parental education.