Abstract

OBERHOLZER, Annemarie E.; NEL, Elzabe; MYBURGH, Chris P.H.  and  POGGENPOEL, Marie. Exploring the needs and resources of children in a haematology-oncology unit. Health SA Gesondheid (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.16, n.1, pp.1-12. ISSN 2071-9736.

Too often a child's body is restored to health in the hospital, but the child is sent home with emotional wounds. This study explored the needs of children in a haematology-oncology unit as well as the resources that could be mobilised in order to address these needs by firstly carrying out a literature review. A field study was then conducted in order to prioritise the resources according to their importance for children in a haematology-oncology unit. A definite trend could be found in the way that the children responded to the request to prioritise the resources. The first three resources, as chosen by the children, all concerned the external social environment of the child. It could therefore be concluded that support from parents and other people of significance are most important to the child and should be taken into account when facilitating support for children in a haematology-oncology unit. It could also be concluded that these children do not experience sufficient control in their situation and it could therefore be suggested that children in a haematology-oncology unit should experience more control and power in their situation.

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