Experiences of returning to school among children with cancer and their families from the perspective of parents about providing information to schools

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to clarify the content, target, and reasons for the provision of information to teachers and classmates at the time childhood cancer survivors return to school from the perspective of parents of the survivors. Parents were surveyed about the provision of information about their children upon returning to school. We analyzed all valid data obtained from 16 parents. As a result, we obtained the following findings. Because children can be open about their disease and so that children can obtain support from everyone involved, their parents informed their children’s classmates and teachers about their children’s disease and treatment, and their children being absent, late for school, and leaving early. Parents also told teachers and classmates about their children’s academic performance because their children were unable to do as well as their classmates and because they needed one-on-one educational guidance. Parents could easily inform teachers of their children’s difficulties in classes because of their good relationship with teachers. Parents also informed teachers and classmates of their children’s difficulties in school life in order to resolve their confusion about such difficulties. Because it was difficult for parents to consider their children’s career path, the parents did not tell anyone about it. The findings of this study may help healthcare staff and educational professionals support the process of determining the content of information provided to schools and its targets.