Psychosocial Care Needs of Children with Cancer and Their Families: Perceptions and Experiences of Omani Oncologists and Nurses Item Type dissertation Authors Al Balushi, Amal Juma Publication Date 2019 Abstract Background: Much evidence demonstrates the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on children and their families. While many health care systems are evolving to integrate psychosocial services into clinical care, barriers exist that must be understo... Keywords experience; pediatric oncology; psychosocial care; Families; Oman; Medical Oncology; Nurses; Oncologists; Pediatrics; Psychosocial Support Systems Download date 02/10/2021 00:16:12 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10713/12497 CURRICULUM VITAE Amal Al Balushi, PhD, RN Sultanate of Oman [email protected] EDUCATION 2019 Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA 2011 Master of Science in Health Care Education Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK 2005 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA 2000 Diploma in Nursing Muscat Nursing Institute, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman RESEARCH ROTATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS 2017 University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA Research rotation with Dr. Jennifer Schneider Main question explored: Is volunteering associated with preventable health behavior among older adults in a continuum- care retirement community? Developed synthesis table on volunteering and preventable health behavior Performed basic statistical analysis, demographic characteristics, cross tabulation, and logistic regression Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA 2016 Research rotation with Dr. Kathy Ruble Transcribed audio-recorded face-to-face and focus-group interviews verbatim, exploring the experience of a mother with a child on the autism spectrum Developed a synthesis table on reimmunizing children with cancer after chemotherapy completion Evaluated assistance animal therapy (AAT) survey TEACHING EXPERIENCE 2008–present Assistant Tutor , Oman Nursing Institute, Muscat, Oman Teaches Child Health Nursing to undergraduate nursing students (theory, lab, and clinical supervision) Other subjects taught Fundamentals of Nursing, Psychosocial Science, Communication Skills, Adult Health Nursing, Introduction to Nursing Research, Community Health Nursing, and First Aid Other responsibilities held Served as cochair of Child Health Nursing Department (2014–2015) Serves as students’ advisor for academic support Prepares and participates in students’ midterm and final exams Evaluates students’ performance (clinical, lab, and theory) WORK EXPERIENCE 2002–2005 Senior staff nurse, Ibra Hospital, North Sharqia, Oman Provided care for children with various medical illnesses Served as preceptor for novice staff nurses (interns) and nursing students 2007 Chair of Staff Development Department, Ibra Hospital, Oman Provided and led continuing education program for staff (April 7–July 7) 2006 Senior staff nurse Provided medical and surgical care for adult patients (Feb 6–July 28) 2000 Internship program, Sinaw Hospital, Oman Participated in six-month internship program in various units: medical, surgical, pediatric nursing, and obstetrics and gynecology PUBLICATIONS 2014 Ranganathan, L., Al -Touby, S., Al -Balushi, A. , Shamnad, M., I., Malathy, Muniswamy, S., Sanjayan, D. (2014). A study to compare the teacher’s perception on faculty allocation approach: Bridge the gap between theory and practice at Oman Nursing Institute, Galaxy Journal , an International Multidisciplinary Research Journal. vol. III (iv), ISSN 2278-9529 2014 Ranganathan, L., Ramasubramaniam, S., Al-Toubia, S., Sishen, V., Al-Balushi, A. , Al-Amri, W., Al-Nasseri, Y., Al-Rawahi, Y. (2014). What do Omani women know about breast cancer symptoms? Oman Medical Journal . vol. 29 (6): 408–413. doi:10.5001 PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 2012–2013 Member. Research committee at Oman Nursing Institute, Oman 2012 Member . Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery Affairs, professional committee research group, Oman 2014 Presenter. Critical Day Care Day, second symposium, Oman 2013 Reviewer . Integrated Management of Childhood Nursing (IMCI) Preservice Education, reviewed IMCI manual, Oman 2012 Presenter. Innovative Use of Evidence Based in Nursing Practice, Sur Nursing Institute, Oman Presenter . Promoting Research to Enhance Quality Practice, second national seminar, Oman Participant. Advanced Qualitative Analysis Workshop, Emory University, USA PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS International Family Association Oman Cancer Association (OAC) Sigma Theta Tatu Abstract Title of Dissertation: Psychosocial Care Needs of Children with Cancer and Their Families: Perceptions and Experiences of Omani Oncologists and Nurses Amal Al Balushi, Doctor of Philosophy, 2019 Dissertation directed by: Dr. Mary Johantgen, Associate Professor, Organizational Systems and Adult Health, and Dr. Kim Mooney-Doyle, Assistant Professor, Family and Community Health Background: Much evidence demonstrates the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on children and their families. While many health care systems are evolving to integrate psychosocial services into clinical care, barriers exist that must be understood before changes can be implemented in systems new to this care. Oncologists and nurses are on the front lines of care and have unique perspectives about the needs of their patients and families. Objectives: The purposes of this study were: 1) describe the experiences and perceptions of pediatric oncology physicians and nurses in Oman regarding the psychosocial care needs of children with cancer and their families; and 2) describe the barriers and facilitators to providing psychosocial care. Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted. Purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit 26 oncologists and nurses with experience caring for children with cancer and their families. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded. Coliazzi’s method of data analysis was utilized to inductively determine themes, clusters, and categories. Data saturation was achieved, and methodical rigor was established. Result: Four themes emerged from the data. The first was “perceived need for care beyond medicine.” The oncologists and nurses recognized that more psychosocial assessment, care and services were needed. The second theme was “recognition of pediatric oncology as a challenging clinical practice area,” which had two subthemes: emotional burden and challenging situations. Participants described the challenges they faced trying to meet needs of children and extended families. The third theme was “barriers to providing effective psychosocial care,” which had three subthemes: barriers related to the health care system, barriers related to health care providers, and barriers related to infrastructure and environment. The fourth theme was “providing optimal supportive care within the available facilities,” which had two subthemes: supportive care and facilitating factors. Cultural and community factors were highlighted. Conclusion: As the pediatric oncology services in Oman mature, clinicians are eager to develop the psychosocial assessments and needed services. Future research is needed to elicit the perspectives of Omani children with cancer and their families. Resources will be needed from higher authorities to design, implement, and evaluate the recommended changes. Psychosocial Care Needs of Children with Cancer and Their Families: Perceptions and Experiences of Omani Oncologists and Nurses by Amal Al Balushi Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Graduate School of the University of Maryland, Baltimore in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2019 ©Copyright 2019 by Amal Al Balushi All rights Reserved DEDICATION I dedicate this doctoral dissertation to my parents; they raised me to be a devoted and sincere person who utilizes all opportunities to learn. This work is also dedicated to my beloved sisters and brothers, for their continuous support, love, and encouragement. Additionally, I dedicate this work to my daughter, Shahla, and my son, Firas, who have continuously inspired me to complete the PhD program To my Almightily God, thank you for being around me and for offering me such strength, patience, and wisdom. iii ACKNOWLEGEMENT The successful completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the support of many people. First and foremost, I would like to thank my dissertation committee: Dr. Johantgen, Dr. Mooney-Doyle, Dr. DeForge, Dr. Rogers, and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Ghaithi. Special thanks are extended to the co-chairs: Dr. Johantgen and Dr. Mooney-Doyle. Thank you very much for your time and patience; for believing in me; and for providing me with priceless guidance, encouragement, and motivation. Thank you for valuing the need to bring change to my country, the Sultanate of Oman, and for preparing me to assume such a great role. I would also like to thank Dr. Ghada, the external qualitative expert, for her help and guidance throughout the analysis. A big thank-you goes to my family, who supported me and believed in me when I sometimes doubted myself. To my sisters, Houda, Nuha, and Shamsa who lovingly care for my children and help put my mind at ease, thank you. To my brothers (Isa and Jamal) their wives (Hanan and Mulhat), who were there for me when no one else was, thank you. To my amazing daughter, Shahla, who stood by me and supported me with love and the wisdom of someone beyond her age, thank you. Shahla,