Caliskan, Hida Izel;
(2021)
“The End” of Paediatric Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study of Parents’ Experiences and Needs.
Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).
Preview |
Text
Caliskan_10138606_thesis_Redacted_sig_removed.pdf Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background: The end of paediatric cancer treatment (EoT) is a significant milestone for parents. Rituals and celebrations that mark EoT can impact parents’ experiences of the end and capacity to cope with the transition. One such ritual is the ringing of the bell ritual (RTB) which involves ringing a physical bell upon the successful completion of treatment in oncology wards. Aims: The study aimed to explore the meanings parents attribute to and experiences of marking the completion of paediatric cancer treatment, with a particular focus on the ringing of the bell ritual (RBT) in oncology wards. Methods: Eight online semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven parents of children aged 8-11. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: The end of treatment was described as a continuum with multiple milestones to be marked. Marking the milestones allowed parents to achieve a separation from the cancer, dissolve tensions between being the parent one wants to be and the parent one has to be during treatment, and to forget the difficulties and remember the positive experiences. The EoT bell was a symbol of hope and sustenance, achievement, a (false) sense of certainty and security, freedom and return to “normal”. It formed an unspoken bond of understanding between families, but also created a divide between the sick and the well. Parents identified needing active staff support with planning/carrying out the RBT and wanting to feel special to staff. The post-RBT and celebration period was a time of vulnerability and loss. Implications: The study discusses critical considerations when implementing rituals like the end of treatment bells in hospital wards. Future research should explore the effect of rituals like RTB on parents of children with poor cancer prognosis.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | D.Clin.Psy |
| Title: | “The End” of Paediatric Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study of Parents’ Experiences and Needs |
| Event: | UCL |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2021. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10138606 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
