Clinician perspectives on nutritional impairment in children undergoing cancer chemotherapy in Thailand: A qualitative descriptive study
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
23475625
eISSN
23496673
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85180310103
Journal Title
Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Volume
11
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing Vol.11 No.1 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Kamkhoad D., Santacroce S.J., Patoomwan A. Clinician perspectives on nutritional impairment in children undergoing cancer chemotherapy in Thailand: A qualitative descriptive study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing Vol.11 No.1 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100348 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95746
Title
Clinician perspectives on nutritional impairment in children undergoing cancer chemotherapy in Thailand: A qualitative descriptive study
Author(s)
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of pediatric oncology clinicians in Thailand on children's gastrointestinal symptoms, eating habits, and nutrition during cancer chemotherapy. Additionally, it sought to identify factors influencing children's nutritional status, including the characteristics of the children, clinician-related factors, and hospital-level factors. Methods: The study involved pediatric oncology clinicians working at a tertiary hospital in Bangkok. Data were collected through interviews, focusing on three key areas: (1) children's gastrointestinal symptoms, eating behaviors, and nutrition, (2) clinicians' cognitions and behaviors that impact children's nutrition, and (3) environmental factors. Each participating clinician also identified a colleague who could offer additional perspectives. Interviews were conducted in the Thai language and analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: A total of 22 participants were enrolled in the study, comprising sixteen nurses, four physicians, one child life specialist, and one Hospital Nutrition Service staff member. The majority of participants were female (95.4%), with an average age of 37.77 years and an average of 15.55 years of experience in caring for children with cancer. Factors influencing children's nutritional status included the children's cancer diagnosis, treatment exposures, and symptoms. Clinicians attributed changes in children's weight and eating patterns to these symptoms. Influential clinician-related factors included current practices that impacted children's symptoms and food intake. Hospital-level factors included both direct influences on children and those arising from clinical practices. Conclusions: To optimize the nutritional status of Thai children undergoing chemotherapy, multi-level interventions are needed. These interventions should target children's symptoms, clinician knowledge, role norms, and address issues related to the hospital environment, specifically those elements that contribute to unpleasant experiences.