Effects of a Storybook About New Leukemia Diagnosis Versus Standard Child Life Intervention on Parental Stress: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Study
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to measure the effects of using a storybook versus standard child life intervention with parents of children newly diagnosed with leukemia on parental stress. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What effect will the storybook have on parent/legal guardian stress at three timepoints: baseline, discharge, and follow up? * Will this storybook impact parent/legal guardian comfort levels and improve their child's understanding? Participants will be asked to complete surveys at three timepoints, prior to and following child life intervention and about 3.5 months later. During child life interventions, participants will receive resources and support to explain leukemia to their school aged, 3-16-year-old, child (patient or sibling). Researchers will compare Intervention and Control Groups to see if parental stress is lower in those who received the storybook in addition to the standard child life intervention versus the standard child life intervention alone.
Description
Research Design: This is a pilot randomized controlled study. Control Group will receive the standard child life care and interventions following a new leukemia diagnosis. This includes meeting one of the primary hematology oncology inpatient certified child life specialists (CCLS) to discuss patient/sibling understanding, language used, family experiences or stressors, and family goals when disclosure information about the diagnosis. Interventions may include books about cancer, personalized learning stories, or interactive activities to explain leukemia, cancer, and chemotherapy. Interven…