Publications by authors named "D Graetz"
Purpose: Stigma contributes to fear and shame, resulting in delays in care-seeking behavior among individuals with cancer. As a social construct, stigma is affected by language, religion, culture, and local norms. This study explored pediatric cancer stigma at the time of diagnosis across diverse settings through the adaptation of two stigma measures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Adaptation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) often occurs when implemented in new local contexts and settings. It is unclear, however, during which phase of implementation adaptations are most frequently made and how these changes may impact the fidelity, effectiveness, and sustainability of the EBI. Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS) are EBIs for early identification of deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer.
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- Global childhood cancer survival rates vary based on regional factors, and understanding treatment decisions for advanced cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is essential.
- A study involving pediatric oncologists in LMICs identified multiple contextual factors that influence decisions regarding treatment, including when non-curative options might be considered and how "poor prognosis" is defined.
- Findings reveal that decision-making practices in LMICs are inconsistent and complicated, highlighting the need for clearer frameworks and further research on the preferences and challenges faced by healthcare professionals in these regions.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores how caregivers of children with cancer in Guatemala City understand illness through Explanatory Models (EMs) during clinical interactions at Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica (UNOP).
- It involved analyzing audio recordings and interviews from caregivers to identify how the EM components—cause, occurrence, pathophysiology, course of sickness, and treatment—were discussed in the diagnostic process.
- The findings revealed that while clinicians often initiated EM discussions, caregivers engaged with most components, particularly focusing on personal illness experiences rather than technical aspects like pathophysiology, highlighting the importance of culturally-competent communication in pediatric oncology care.
Background: Communication is an essential aspect of high-quality patient- and family-centered care. A model for pediatric cancer communication developed in the United States defined eight communication functions. The purpose of this study was to explore the relevance of these functions in Pakistan as part of an effort to understand the role of culture in communication.
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