Introduction
This project is dedicated to the educational preparation of cancer patients’ parents and families. The program focuses on children with cancer and their families. The goal of the project is to provide a complete picture of cancer treatment and psychologically prepare patients’ families for the upcoming process. The project will provide supervision and support to the families of the patients. The emotional state of patients affects the success of treatment; that is why the supporting program is essential.
Place and Rationale
The training will be conducted in Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in the oncology department. This place is my place of work, and I am familiar with it. The personnel is willing to help with the implementation of the process. The staff is trained and has a long history of working with young cancer patients. The hospital endorses this initiative as part of the Healthy People 2020 program.
Project Goals and Objectives
- Improving the quality of life and emotional state of children diagnosed with cancer.
- Providing emotional support to parents and families of children with cancer.
- Provide families with education about how to live healthily and cope with problems.
- Provide information on available programs to support the family with finances, mental health issues, and medication.
- Contributing to the development of the Healthy People 2020 program.
Theoretical basis of the project
- The implementation plan will be based on Lewin’s change theory.
- It includes three steps of change: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing.
- Each step of the development will have its stage of program implementation.
- Project implementation is a small-scale change in the hospital’s routine.
- This theory allows you to develop a specific plan and update it if needed.
Implementation plan
- Unfreezing is preparation, information, and ally gathering.
- Unfreezing includes spreading awareness about the need for the program.
- Changing is conducting sessions and frequent assessments of psychological distress.
- Courses will be conducted weekly.
- Refreezing is evaluating results and making necessary changes.
Justification of the project
- Relatives of cancer patients suffer from anxiety, stress, and depression.
- Often families are unaware of support systems and programs.
- Parents are engaged in children’s treatment and have to adjust their lives to a new routine.
- Families of patients need psychological support just like patients.
- The project will bring significant benefits to families fighting pediatric cancer.
Timeline
- The implementation course is six months.
- The first stage (unfreezing) will take two months.
- The second stage (actual implementation) will take three months or 12 weeks.
- The second phase will contain all the information and training.
- The final stage will take one month to collect and analyze data and results.
Proposed interventions and partnerships
- The interventions will be provided by nurses and social workers.
- The first intervention is mental health scanning for depression and anxiety.
- The second is a behavioral intervention to help parents develop coping skills.
- The third is providing education on cancer and its development.
- Fourth is social workers’ intervention in available support programs.
Materials and Budget
- The program does not require many materials and finances.
- The unfreezing stage will not require any materials.
- The second stage will require printed materials (brochures, leaflets).
- Conference equipment and software will be required for online meetings.
- The proposed budget is 3,500 dollars in total.
Conclusion
The program is designed for parents of children diagnosed with cancer. The project aims to help families to cope with post-diagnosis difficulties. The implementation plan is based upon Lewin’s theory of organized change. The project will take a total of six months and cost 3500 dollars. It is expected to improve the mental health and well-being of families.
References
Bass, P.F. (2018). When cancer strikes a family: Psychosocial issues in pediatric oncology. Contemporary Pediatrics.
Borrescio-Higa, F., & Valdés, N. (2022). The Psychosocial Burden of Families with Childhood Blood Cancer. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), article 599.
Burnes, B. (2020). The origins of Lewin’s three-step model of change. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 56(1), 32-59.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2021). Healthy People 2020. Health.gov.