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Table 2 Summary of the evaluations and modifications made to the program and its tools

From: Definition and improvement of the concept and tools of a psychosocial intervention program for parents in pediatric oncology: a mixed-methods feasibility study conducted with parents and healthcare professionals

Theme

Benefits

Limitations and suggestions for improvement

Suggestions for modifications

1—Program relevance and acceptability

Emotional support

Aim of the program: psychological and emotional support for parents

  

Regain control

Improve parental capacity in the management of everyday practical difficulties

  

Target audience

According to parents: couples and single-parent families are targets consistent with the nature of the difficulties encountered in pediatric oncology

According to healthcare professionals: it is possible that the program may not be adaptable to the reality of some parents (overload)

The program will be more adaptable in order to respect the parents’ reality: flexibility regarding appointment times, session location, and “homework” requirements

2—Program material

Provider manual

The manualized aspect is appreciated

Terminology is too reminiscent of school (e.g., homework)

Avoid using technical terms so that it is accessible to non-psychologists

Modify the school-like terms (“homework” replaced with “tasks to complete at home”) and techniques in the manual (e.g., operationalization of the problem replaced with characteristic of the problem)

Parent manual

Helps expand learning and knowledge of the program outside of sessions

According to healthcare professionals: too complex, too extensive, and the general level of writing style is too elevated for some parents:

Simplify writing (aim for grade 4 level), reduce the amount of text and present it in a four-page booklet, remove the terms that are too complicated, and add illustrations to make it more attractive

Rewrite in a simpler way and create a computerized version and video capsules illustrating the program sessions. The print format will be smaller and include illustrations.

Worksheets

Helps maintain practice outside of sessions

Give parents more freedom in their selection of solutions to their problem, avoid suggesting ranking solutions right away, and add illustrations and visual codes that are already familiar in pediatrics (emoticons)

The worksheets will be more attractive. We will add images, change the font of the text and titles, and modify the layout. The “generate solutions” worksheet will no longer suggest ranking parents’ responses

Illustrations and case study

Helpful, they relate to examples of plausible situations

Consider the cultural aspect in the selection of metaphors

The professionals will be asked to adapt the canoe metaphor and case studies to the cultural background of the participating parents

3—Practical implementation

Location of the intervention

Parents approve of the flexibility in being able to choose the location of the intervention (at the hospital or at home)

  

Time of the intervention

Flexibility in the choice of the time of the first meeting (approximately 4 weeks after the diagnosis)

  

Number of sessions

Some parents think the number of sessions is sufficient

For healthcare professionals, some parents may give up because the duration (6 sessions) will be considered too long

The program will be more flexible in terms of the number of sessions. It will be possible to complete the 4 individual sessions only, if the parents prefer

Tasks to complete at home

Tasks can be beneficial if they are not imposed

Prescription of tasks to complete at home may be too demanding for parents

Prescription of tasks to complete at home will be more flexible and tasks will be suggested, not imposed on parents

4—Program procedures

Individual sessions

Problem-solving training sessions serve the purpose of regaining control and facilitating emotional expression

  

Couple sessions

Sessions promote marital communication and the ability to work as a team

  

5—Program provider’s attitude1

It is important and appreciated that a time to build the relationship be planned in the program

  
  1. 1This theme was not initially part of the questionnaire. It was addressed by participants during interviews