A qualitative study of the care needs of caregivers of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis
10.3760/cma.j.cn211501-20240520-01274
- VernacularTitle:急性淋巴细胞白血病并发化疗相关性口腔黏膜炎患儿主要照顾者照护需求的质性研究
- Author:
Yuanjun ZENG
1
;
Qiaoru LI
1
;
Qinglian JIANG
1
;
Lanjun GAO
1
Author Information
1. 中山市人民医院普通儿科，中山 528400
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Qualitative study;
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia;
Leukemia chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis;
Caregivers;
Care needs
- From:
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing
2025;41(12):919-925
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the care needs of primary caregivers of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) developed chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CTOM) during hospitalization and to provide a basis for improving the caregivers′ ability to care for the children and promoting their recovery.Methods:This study adopted the phenomenological design of a qualitative approach, using purposive sampling to select 10 primary caregivers of children with ALL who developed CTOM in Zhongshan People′s Hospital from September 2022 to August 2023. A semi-structured, in-depth interview was conducted to collect the data. Colaizzi analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data.Results:Among the 10 children, 5 were males and 5 were females, aged 3-13 years old; among the 10 primary caregivers, 3 were males and 7 were females, aged 31-44 years old. The primary caregivers′ care needs were categorized into four themes: wound care needs (active oral cleaning and hygiene maintenance, lack of ability to observe wounds, and anticipation of new and more effective medications); the need for knowledge of diseases (lack of knowledge related to the causes of CTOM, lack of knowledge about care and medication, seeking information from multiple sources); nutritional knowledge and dietary care needs (active supplementation awareness, limited dietary choices, lack of specific nutritional knowledge);and social network and psychological support needs (experience sharing in primary caregiver networks, psychosocial support in primary caregiver networks).Conclusions:Primary caregivers have particular problems in caring for children with ALL developed CTOM, including the need for nursing knowledge and practical skills, social support, etc. Healthcare professionals should provide the necessary support and assistance in terms of professional resources, hospital management resources and social resources.
