Explaining Palliative Care Needs for Families with Cancer Children (A Qualitative Study)

Abstract

Background: Childhood malignancies give parents and children substantial psychological anguish and life disruption. One of the best strategies to enhance cancer patients’ lives is palliative care. The present study aims to define the palliative care needs of families with children with cancer, identify strategies to address these needs, educate nursing staff to react as much as possible, and improve health care services. Materials and Methods: The current research was a qualitative investigation undertaken with the involvement of families of children diagnosed with cancer who were sent to educational hospitals in Ilam City in 2024. The data were collected via purposive sampling. Subsequently, data were gathered using semistructured interviews, and a guided content analysis was conducted for data analysis. The first stage of coding started by identifying the analysis unit, which encompasses words, phrases, topics, and sentences that possess distinct meanings. The primary ideas inside each analysis unit will be organized under the heading of the semantic unit. Results: This study included 10 individual interviews with diverse subjects. The interviews revealed four main categories and 12 subcategories of palliative care needs for families with children with cancer: psychological care (mental distress, homesickness, cancer taboo, and collapse of mental image), social care (lack of coherent support network, financial challenges, displacement, and out‑of‑hospital/telephone care), and physical care. Rethinking Spirituality was removed. Conclusions: Palliative care for children addresses medical, psychological, social, and spiritual issues to improve quality of life for the child and family. Correct and ethical treatment based on clinical recommendations is crucial.