Margaretha Jenholt Nolbris1, Britt Hedman Ahlström2. 1. Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Box 457, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Centre for Children's Right to Health, SE-416 85 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: margaretha.nolbris@vgregion.se. 2. Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Box 457, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, SE-461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate a person-centered intervention, directed to siblings with a brother or sister newly diagnosed with cancer that combines education, learning and reflection about cancer. METHOD: Qualitative methods with pre- and post-intervention semi-structured interviews were conducted. Fourteen siblings aged 9-22 years participated. A qualitative content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The result comprises of five themes: 'grasping for knowledge about cancer, 'thinking for hours and having nightmares', 'experiencing physical pain', 'being emotional in several ways', 'waiting for a normal, good life despite the uncertain future". Pre-intervention; a low level of knowledge of cancer treatments and its side effects was revealed; siblings slept poorly, lay awake thinking and had nightmares about cancer; they felt pain in different parts of their body; they felt emotional and angry and were anxious as cancer is life-threatening; in the future the sick child will finished treatment and recovered. Post-intervention; siblings described having specific knowledge, felt more informed, and that it was easier to understand the sick child's situation; they slept better, but still had a lot on their minds regarding the sick child; most siblings said they no longer experienced pain, felt better and were happier but could still get sad; in the future the sick child would be healthy, not exactly as before, but almost. CONCLUSION: Person-centered intervention helps siblings to be more knowledgeable about the sick child's cancer, leading to a more realistic view about treatments and consequences. Further studies of person-centered interventions for siblings are important.
PURPOSE: To evaluate a person-centered intervention, directed to siblings with a brother or sister newly diagnosed with cancer that combines education, learning and reflection about cancer. METHOD: Qualitative methods with pre- and post-intervention semi-structured interviews were conducted. Fourteen siblings aged 9-22 years participated. A qualitative content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The result comprises of five themes: 'grasping for knowledge about cancer, 'thinking for hours and having nightmares', 'experiencing physical pain', 'being emotional in several ways', 'waiting for a normal, good life despite the uncertain future". Pre-intervention; a low level of knowledge of cancer treatments and its side effects was revealed; siblings slept poorly, lay awake thinking and had nightmares about cancer; they felt pain in different parts of their body; they felt emotional and angry and were anxious as cancer is life-threatening; in the future the sick child will finished treatment and recovered. Post-intervention; siblings described having specific knowledge, felt more informed, and that it was easier to understand the sick child's situation; they slept better, but still had a lot on their minds regarding the sick child; most siblings said they no longer experienced pain, felt better and were happier but could still get sad; in the future the sick child would be healthy, not exactly as before, but almost. CONCLUSION:Person-centered intervention helps siblings to be more knowledgeable about the sick child's cancer, leading to a more realistic view about treatments and consequences. Further studies of person-centered interventions for siblings are important.
Authors: Briony F Hudson; Linda Jm Oostendorp; Bridget Candy; Victoria Vickerstaff; Louise Jones; Monica Lakhanpaul; Myra Bluebond-Langner; Paddy Stone Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2016-09-08 Impact factor: 4.762