Zeitschrift für Krankenpflege und Pflege

A literature Review of the Results from Nursing and Psychosocial Research within Swedish Pediatric Oncology

Abstract

Karin Maria Enskär, Susanne Knutsson, Karina Huus, Mats Granlund, Laura Darcy and Maria Björk

The body of research-based knowledge in paediatric caring science has been increasing leading to dramatic improvements in treatment. The purpose of this manuscript was to analyze results as stated by the researchers', in recently published articles on nursing and psychosocial research, within Swedish pediatric oncology setting. This was done through a review of 137 published articles about paediatric oncology related to caring science in Sweden. The result shows that the illness has affected, in both positive and negative ways, the wellbeing of everyone coming into contact with the child. The cancer also causes distress related to all aspects of life including physical, psychological, existential and social. Mediating factors for the experience of distress and wellbeing are: disease and treatment severity, age, gender and ethnicity of the participant, time since diagnosis, the use of internal and external support, and the identity of the person reporting the data. Health promoting aspects frequently reported are: family togetherness, coping strategies, engaging in normal life and activities, and quality of care which includes emotional support, information and family participation in care. The hospital staff has to be aware of the psychosocial issues experienced by children with cancer and their families, and they have to acknowledge the value of formal interventions, reporting benefits for children, families, and themselves.