Community and Home Care Services Provided to Children with Cancer: A Report from the Children's Cancer Group Nursing Committee—Clinical Practice Group

Abstract

A survey directed to home care providers was conducted by the Children's Cancer Group Nursing Committee--Clinical Practice Group. The purpose of the survey was to (a) assess the treatments, resources, and counseling services provided to children with cancer and (b) query what are their informational needs in servicing this specialized population. The survey found that there are many chemotherapy, biotherapy, and supportive therapies being provided in the home. There are also variations in the experiences of the agencies and home care providers in delivering these services. There were numerous informational needs identified by the agencies. The survey results were discussed with the Clinical Practice Group and several themes were expressed: (a) safety, (b) protocol adherence, (c) making the home into a hospital, and (d) meeting the informational needs of the home care providers.