The experiences and responses of parents and caregivers throughout childhood cancer treatment: An integrative review

Topic: The experiences and responses of parents and caregivers of children with cancer. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to analyze the literature discussing parents’ or caregivers’ experiences and responses from the initial diagnosis of childhood cancer, throughout treatment, and at end-of-life from an international perspective including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An integrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. The search terms used were (“Adaptation, Psychological"[Mesh] or coping) AND (perception or attitudes or satisfaction) AND (cancer) AND (family or parents or caregiver) AND (pediatric or childhood or adolescent or infant). Search criteria were articles available electronically in full text, published in English and in academic journals within the timeline of January 1, 2019, to September 6, 2022. Findings: This integrative review consisted of 20 articles, 13 qualitative and 7 quantitative, representing 13 different countries spanning across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Inductive analysis of these articles resulted in 4 themes being abstracted. These themes were: 1) ground dropping under their feet, 2) sequestered on an island, 3) strain on family functioning, and 4) seeking support. Conclusions: Along with having a global perspective, this integrative review adds to the current literature by exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic affected parents’ and caregivers’ experiences. Results drawn from this review can be implemented by nurses, healthcare professionals, and hospitals increasing the amount of information given to caregivers, improving their level of communication, and expanding support offered to families.