PATIENT SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS

1. Psychological Counseling


​This includes studying the medical diagnosis of the patients, conduction of psychological assessments, evaluation and counseling to the children undergoing cancer treatment and their family members. It focuses on different stages of cancer patient goes through such as first line of treatment, Pre & Post BMT, Relapse,  Pre & Post surgery, palliation ,end of life and Bereavement.

2. Group Therapies 


It includes Sharing & Caring Sessions to deal with emotional and psychological issues among the parents of the patients. These sessions enable the participants to able find support in a place where they share their experience and problems, stories of loss, hope and renewal and what they have done to cope with their own emotions and move through their own healing process.

3. Expressive Therapies


Non- Pharmacological Interventions for Procedural Pain:  We direct children’s attention by providing Handy Candy (lollipops) to children in OPD clinics /procedure rooms in the Hospitals. We have developed educational materials on comfort positions, medical procedures and also provide Hospital Dolls with Toy Medical Kits and distraction carts consisting distraction items which help to relieve stress and decrease anxiety in the children when they get their procedures done in the Hospital.  

Therapies: We do Play, Art, Music and Clown Therapy and conduct Relaxation, Meditation and Story Telling Sessions with the patients and sometimes with the caregivers as well. The aim is to provide opportunities to children and caregivers to explore safe methods of emotional expression help them to make the most of their present abilities, engage them in something familiar and enjoyable during their course of cancer treatment.

​4. Child Life


This includes integrating innovative complementary approaches to treatment focusing on the children undergoing cancer treatment:

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  • Child Friendly Wards: We upgrade and beautify the hospital wards by providing a happy and cheerful atmosphere that is appropriate for children’s needs thus making the hospital stay normalized and enjoyable during their course of cancer treatment. Under this intervention we set up play rooms, do ward painting, provide curtains and Play & Breakfast Tables, Art & Craft Board, colorful Shoe Racks and Televisions in the Hospitals.
  • Toy & Story Book Library:  We equip wards with toys, games and story books which provide a fun and happy environment for the child maintaining child’s right to play even in the middle of the treatment.  
  • Kekdu Wish Box and wishing Island:  This includes granting the most cherished wish of children undergoing cancer treatment and giving them the freedom of choice by letting them select from a wide range of Games, Toys & Story Books available.

5. Survivor Assistance Program
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​    (SAP)


​This intervention focuses on Post Traumatic Stress aspects of survivorship and provides psychological counseling and other Therapeutic Interventions by addressing the unique needs and challenges of survivors, their parents and other family members.​

6. Terminal and Bereavement
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​    Support


​Focusing on Breaking bad news/Disclosure, Preparing the parents and family members from palliative to the terminal phase and as well as for death.

7. Patient & Parent Teaching And
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    Psycho- Education Sessions


Psycho-education sessions are conducted by the psychologists with the patients and caregivers regarding various topics such as coping with stress, anxiety and behavioral issues. The aim of these sessions is to educate and empower patients and caregivers about the psychological issues they face during cancer treatment and to make them aware of coping techniques through which they can overcome from these issues.

PROGRAM SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS

1. Capacity and Skill Building,



    Sensitization & Training in
​


    Pediatric Psycho-oncology.


​It is an ongoing training program for multidisciplinary team of Psychologists, Social Workers, Support Groups, Collage Students and Medical Professionals through didactic lectures, Videos, role-play exercises, group and field work . The training module focuses on Counseling at different stages of cancer, Group and Supportive Therapies, Child Life, Palliative & Bereavement Care, Research, Program Management and Implementation. 

2. Impact Assessment, Research,     



   Studies and Tool Development


​​Conducting impact assessment, studies and 
research in the pediatric psycho-oncology field, developing tools, norms, guidelines and projects for appropriate interventions.

3. Pediatric Psycho-oncology
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    Internship Program




Our internship program provides practical exposure in counseling, Group Therapies, Child Life, Program Management, Research & Tool development for students pursuing Psychology and Child Life studies.