Evaluating the Effectiveness of Family Support Interventions in Pediatric Oncology Nursing Practice

Posted: Apr 14, 2023

• Naomi Garcia
• Phoebe Armstrong
• Desmond Pratt

Abstract

The diagnosis of childhood cancer represents a profound crisis for families, triggering complex emotional, practical, and relational challenges that extend throughout the treatment trajectory. Pediatric oncology nursing practice has increasingly recognized the importance of addressing not only the medical needs of the child but also the comprehensive wellbeing of the family system. While family support interventions have become integral components of pediatric oncology care, the empirical evidence regarding their effectiveness remains fragmented and often methodologically limited. This research addresses critical gaps in the existing literature by employing a comprehensive mixed-methods approach to evaluate the multidimensional impact of family support interventions within pediatric oncology nursing practice. Traditional evaluations of family support in pediatric oncology have typically focused on singular dimensions such as psychological distress or satisfaction with care. These approaches fail to capture the complex, interconnected nature of family experiences during childhood cancer treatment. Furthermore, previous research has often neglected the contextual factors that moderate intervention effectiveness, including cultural background, socioeconomic status, and pre-existing family dynamics. The current study advances beyond these limitations by developing and applying a holistic evaluation framework that assesses intervention effectiveness.