Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity -World Health Organization.

CURRENT SCENARIO OF THE HEALTH SECTOR:
Very few understand the importance or the need or the difference between Emotional Support, Counselling, psychology and psychiatry – not hospitals, or medical staff or patients and families themselves. The main focus is treatment centric and not holistic. Financial support needs override all other needs and often we meet families who don’t have the luxury or no time to indulge or be indulged in their emotions. We belong to a culture where children are talked over rather than “to”. Medical professional field are not sensitized and very poor at communications from breaking bad news to providing initial emotional support and hospital administrations don’t understand about right of child to have a “child life” during their treatment, to have “pain free procedures” and “access to Pediatric Palliative Care” . According to the “United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child” a child has the right for a full and decent life including access to equal opportunities for educational, cultural, artistic, recreational, play and leisure activities.

PEDIATRIC PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY PROGRAM
As a critical component of the holistic care and support, Cankids Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program was started in March 2007 with a focus on:

Beyond treatment and cure
To consider and protect the quality of life of the child and their family.

The CanKids Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program (PPOP) is an integral part of our objective to improve the quality of life for cancer children and their families in India. The treatment process can be psychologically devastating for children facing serious cancer diagnoses; one-on-one psychological support is essential. We are devoted to provide greater attention to individual, as well as group, and therapeutic care throughout all stages of the cancer process. As a critical component of the holistic care and support the Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program focuses beyond treatment and cure to consider the quality of life of the child and their family

OUR OBJECTIVES:

Identifying the barriers to effective psychological and emotional care and applying current psychological techniques and establishing a child-friendly and pain free environment in the hospitals.
Protect the rights of the health impaired child to a childhood. Ensure their environments in the ward, OPD, Day Care, Cankids facilities and even their homes are child friendly.
To advocate for the importance of an integrated approach to pediatric cancer care, thereby guarantying that the child’s quality of life and emotional well being of both the child and the family during and after the course the course of treatment.
Sensitize and train medical professionals and social support teams in psychological and emotional care, counseling and communication with children and their families.

BENEFICIARIES:

Our target patient population is comprised of cancer children who are under the age of 19 years and their families including their parents, siblings and other caregivers:

Children currently undergoing major oncology treatments, those in advanced stages of cancer Progression (e.g. relapse), and children receiving palliative treatment.
Children experiencing cancer remission and other survivors of childhood cancer

PARTNERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDERS:

To execute our Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program, we have a large network comprised of Doctors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Hospitals and external resources and have partnerships with ELGI Group of Companies, ILEAP Foundation, and Shaping Lives – A Social Initiative of Select Group, Make a Wish Foundation India, Music Therapy Trust India, Theater Garage and East Carolina University, USA.

PROGRAM INTERVENTIONS:

We have a team of dedicated Professional Psychologists PAN India who support the integrated components of health care. On micro level it may look that we work independently, but actually on the macro level we work in collaboration with the treating doctors and the hospitals to ensure that Family Centered Approach leads to better outcomes.

This program outlines a set protocol for patient support interventions such as child friendly wards, explanation and clarification of diagnosis, disease oriented counseling for parents and the child, Expressive and Group Therapies, Non Pharmacological Interventions for procedural pain, terminal and bereavement support, informational tools for patients and caregivers. It also includes other program support services such as capacity and skill building for the social support team and sensitization workshops for healthcare providers, research and tool development and Internship in Pediartic Psycho-oncology. Click here to know more about our services

PPOP TEAM

The psycho-oncology department has certified Psychologists and professionals as well as trained staffs that are equipped with the skills needed to provide disease specific psychological intervention to the children and families facing cancer.

Apart from this team the Social Support Team - Social Workers, P3SG Members, KCK, Teachers & Volunteers also play a crucial role in successful functioning of the PPO Program in CHSUs and Facilities.