Exploring nurses’ role in the management of children diagnosed with cancer in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Oncology nursing continues to evolve in response to advances in cancer treatment. The role of the oncology nurse in the management of cancer in children is very significant as these children go through a lot of emotional trauma due to the disease. Aim and objectives: The aim of the study is to explore and examine the quality of nursing care given to children diagnosed with cancer in Ghana. Some of the objectives are to examine strategies nurses use in planning care; and to determine processes nurses use to evaluate care given. Methodology: A mixed-methods qualitative cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Population and samples: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana is selected as the research site. The population consists of all nurses working in the hospital and parents/carers looking after children diagnosed with cancer. The samples was nurses working on paediatric wards/clinics, parents/carers, and key informants. Selection of sample groups was opportunistic. Methods of data collection: three sources were used to collect data, i.e. questionnaires for nursing working on paediatric wards/clinics, interviews with nurses and carers, and key informant interviews. Analysis: descriptive statistical analysis of data was undertaken and the three data sources were triangulated to determine similarities and differences of responses. Benefits of the study: The results of the study will be submitted to the hospital management and articles will be submitted to peer-reviewed nursing journals. Key words: paediatric oncology, nurses, oncology nurses, Kumasi, Ghana, Komfo Anokye teaching hospital.