Nursing Faculty Publications
Main Caregivers’ Experiences of Managing Pain for Children With Neuroblastoma in Taiwan
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2011
Journal Title
Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
Volume
28
Issue
6
First Page
326
Last Page
335
DOI
10.1177/1043454211408104
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common malignant tumor among children. Seventy percent of children with neuroblastoma have metastatic disease when the diagnosis is established. The aim of this study was to understand the main caregivers’ lived experiences in managing pain for children with neuroblastoma. A descriptive qualitative design was used. Twelve main caregivers of children with neuroblastoma were interviewed. Two themes evolved: experiences of pain and coping with pain. Three subthemes were found under the theme “experience of pain”: pain assessment based on language expressions and behavioral observations, tendency of misdiagnosing tumor metastasis–related pain, and unique manifestations of pain at various phases. Four subthemes evolved under the theme “coping with pain”: utilization of pharmacological and nonpharmacological modalities for pain management, learning to confront pain, seeking mental and emotional support, and adjustment of family lifestyle. The results provide a description regarding the expression of pain in children with neuroblastoma and the pain management modalities used by the main caregivers. The findings serve as a reference for health care providers in Taiwan as they manage pain for children with neuroblastoma and seek to understand the needs of the main caregivers.
Keywords
Cancer pain, main caregiver, neuroblastoma
Recommended Citation
Lu, C.; Huang, Chu-Yu; Park, J.; Lin, H.; Lee, Y.; and Cheng, S., "Main Caregivers’ Experiences of Managing Pain for Children With Neuroblastoma in Taiwan" (2011). Nursing Faculty Publications. 31.
https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/nursing_publications/31