Quality of Nursing Care from the Perspective of Hospitalized Children with Cancer
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Date
2010-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Purpose: To determine characteristics of nurses and nursing processes that matter most to hospitalized children with oncology conditions. Background: Over three million children in the United States are hospitalized and over 8,500 children ages birth to 15 years are diagnosed with cancer annually. Nursing care is rarely evaluated by the children themselves. The importance of linking pediatric patients' hospitalization experiences, in relation to quality nursing care, and health related outcomes is under acknowledged. An especially vulnerable population of hospitalized children is oncology patients. They have a chronic disease requiring frequent and lengthy hospitalizations; therefore, their perceptions and needs are different. Previous studies has shown that children expect the nurse to be "nice", wear colorful clothing, have a sense of humor, and be there to listen to their concerns. However, there has been relatively little research done on the pediatric oncology patient population regarding their perspective of nursing care. Subjects: 39 children ages 6-21 years hospitalized for cancer treatment at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Methods: Children completed a PedsQL-PF Form, Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), hospitalization experience interview, and human figure drawing. The PedsQL Present Functioning Scale measures anxiety, sadness, anger, worry, fatigue, and pain. The RCADS form measures general level of depression and anxiety. The interview assesses the children's opinions on what nurses have done that is "pretty good" and what nurses have done that needs improvement. The human figure drawing is a projective technique that assesses children's thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Results: The two most common "liked" nursing qualities were "nice/friendly", and "gives me medication". The two most common "disliked" nursing qualities were "uncomfortable procedures" and "wakes me up". Females and early adolescents responded more frequently. Conclusions: Understanding this vulnerable population of children's hospitalization experience and expectations will help nurses provide quality care in response to their concerns.
Keywords: quality of care, pediatric oncology, nursing care
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Keywords
quality of care, pediatric oncology, nursing care