Are parent and child perceptions of cancer and its treatment related to parent and patient satisfaction

Children's perceptions of illness and health care play a significant role in determining the manner in which children approach and experience medical treatments. In addition, research has concluded that perceptions of disease and health care influence the acceptance and outcome of health care interventions. As a significant disease, the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer is widely understood to be emotionally as well as physically stressful for children and their families. In the present study, the Children's Health Belief Model was used to investigate how parent and child perceptions of the child's cancer and its treatment are related to parent and patient satisfaction with that treatment. Eighty-nine pediatric oncology patients (ages 8--18) and their parents were sent questionnaires by mail to assess their illness concern, perceptions of the severity of the child's illness, benefits and drawbacks of the child's treatment, their satisfaction with the child's care, and the child's experience of treatment side effects. Child and parent perceptions, their satisfaction, and their report of treatment side effects were not significantly different, except for child and parent perceptions of the drawbacks of treatment. Child and parent perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of treatment, their satisfaction, and their report of the side effects of treatment were significantly correlated. Children's illness concern and perceived illness severity, however, were not significantly related. Children's satisfaction was significantly related to their perceived illness severity, perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of treatment, but was not significantly correlated with their illness concern. Parents' satisfaction was significantly related to their illness concern, perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of treatment, but was not significantly correlated to their perceived illness severity. Multiple regression analysis indicated that parent report of treatment side effects and children's perceived illness severity contributed significantly to the prediction of patient satisfaction. Finally, multiple regression analysis also indicated that parents' perceived illness severity, their report of the child's experience of the side effects of treatment, and their perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of treatment significantly contributed to the prediction of parent satisfaction. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research and for helping professionals who care for pediatric oncology patients and their families.