Trial Information

Concurrent School Attendance And Cancer Therapy: The Experiences of 6-12 Year Old Pediatric Oncology Patients

The primary objective of this study is to explore 6-12 year old pediatric oncology patients'
perceptions of their school experiences pre and post cancer diagnosis.

This study will utilize qualitative interview methods. Potential participants who meet
inclusion criteria will be approached by the principal investigator to obtain consent and
assent in accordance with institutional guidelines. Upon giving consent, the child will
participate in a one-hour audio-taped interview session with the principal investigator.
The interview session will begin with some general rapport building questions to help the
child grow comfortable with the interviewer, the interview room, and the interview format.
The rest of the interview will consist of questions pertaining to the child's school
experiences both before and during diagnosis and treatment for malignancy. The interview
will conclude with the child being asked to draw a picture of themselves at school before
diagnosis, and of themselves at school since being diagnosed. Demographic data will be
collected from each participant's medical chart pertaining to age, gender, ethnicity,
diagnosis, and the type of school attended before and after diagnosis and the principal
investigator and study staff involved in data coding will complete field note entries
directly following the conclusion of each interview or data coding session (see Appendix V).
The participant's involvement in the study will end at the conclusion of the interview
session.