Research article

Young patients', parents', and survivors' communication preferences in paediatric oncology: Results of online focus groups

Marieke Zwaanswijk¹ , Kiek Tates¹ , Sandra van Dulmen¹ , Peter M Hoogerbrugge² , Willem A Kamps³ and Jozien M Bensing^1,4

¹NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The Netherlands

²Department of Paediatric Hemato-Oncology, University Medical Centre St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

³Department of Paediatric Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands

⁴Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

author email corresponding author email

BMC Pediatrics 2007, 7:35doi:10.1186/1471-2431-7-35

Published:	9 November 2007

Abstract

Background

Guidelines in paediatric oncology encourage health care providers to share relevant information with young patients and parents to enable their active participation in decision making. It is not clear to what extent this mirrors patients' and parents' preferences. This study investigated communication preferences of childhood cancer patients, parents, and survivors of childhood cancer.

Methods

Communication preferences were examined by means of online focus groups. Seven patients (aged 8–17), 11 parents, and 18 survivors (aged 8–17 at diagnosis) participated. Recruitment took place by consecutive inclusion in two Dutch university oncological wards. Questions concerned preferences regarding interpersonal relationships, information exchange and participation in decision making.

Results

Participants expressed detailed and multi-faceted views regarding their needs and preferences in communication in paediatric oncology. They agreed on the importance of several interpersonal and informational aspects of communication, such as honesty, support, and the need to be fully informed. Participants generally preferred a collaborative role in medical decision making. Differences in views were found regarding the desirability of the patient's presence during consultations. Patients differed in their satisfaction with their parents' role as managers of the communication.

Conclusion

Young patients' preferences mainly concur with current guidelines of providing them with medical information and enabling their participation in medical decision making. Still, some variation in preferences was found, which faces health care providers with the task of balancing between the sometimes conflicting preferences of young cancer patients and their parents.