Exploring Psychosocial Experiences of Parents with Children Undergoing Cancer Treatment at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Background: Parental support is integral in the care of paediatric patients. Cancer treatment creates diverse challenges and parents adopt various coping skills to overcome the stress of the period. Aim: To explore the psychosocial experiences of parents at the Paediatric Oncology Unit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods: An explorative qualitative study was conducted using interviews and participants observations. Eleven parents whose children are undergoing cancer treatment at the paediatric oncology unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital were recruited for the study. Data analysis and discussion werediscussions were guided by the Caregiving Process and Caregivers’ Burden framework. Findings and Relevance to Clinical Practice: The results from the study indicated that parents were severely affected by psychosocial challenges on account of their child’s treatment. Major challenges identified include financial constraints, unemployment, over reliance of extended family members to care for other children, distress and family disintegration. Parental support groups should be formed in the POU to facilitate parent’s adjustment and coping during the treatment period. Conclusion: children undergoing cancer treat at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and their parents need lots of psychological and socioeconomic support as they go through this trying and uncertain period. Limitation and Recommendations for Further Research: These findings are applicable to parents at KBTH from both urban, peri-urban and rural context. Further research with parents in various oncology units across Ghana would be useful to expand on the research findings and would potentially assist in programmes development. Understanding the Ghanaian situation can improve practices and services rendered to these families.