Striving to reduce suffering: A Phenomenological Study of nurses experience in caring for children with cancer in Ghana

Abstract

Aim: To provide insights into nurses lived experiences in caring for children with cancer.

Background: Little is known about the paediatric oncology nurses shared practices of caring for children with cancer in Ghana.

Design: A hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study.

Methods: A semi-structured interview with 14 purposely sampled Ghanaian paediatric oncology nurses. Findings were analysed using Diekelman, Allen and Tanner's approach.

Results: The theme "Striving to reduce suffering" and three relational subthemes: "knowing children's needs," "Rendering a hopeful fight" and "Ensuring continuity and coordination of care" emerged. Increased awareness of this phenomenon for the nurses who care for these children is vital to ensure quality and holistic care that is meaningful and satisfying by nurses for children with cancer. Paediatric oncology nurses can use the result of the study to evaluate their caring practice and as an avenue to develop better caring practice.

Keywords: Ghana; cancer; caring; children; experience; hermeneutic; nurses; phenomenology; suffering.