Bluebond-Langner M, Perkel D, Goertzel T, Nelson K, McGeary J
Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey 08102.
J Pediatr. 1990 Feb;116(2):207-13. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)82876-8.
Because pediatric oncology camps provide an opportunity for children who have had cancer to interact with their peers in an informal, recreational environment, this study was designed to determine (1) whether cancer and its treatment are discussed informally among the children, (2) what kinds of information are exchanged if such discussions take place, and (3) how these interactions might affect the children's knowledge and understanding of cancer and its treatment. The study included detailed, open-ended, structured interviews and observational accounts of the subjects before, during, and after camp. These interviews and observations in a sample of 50 children revealed that the children engaged in informal discussion about cancer and its treatment, and that information on a variety of topics, ranging from medical procedures to prognosis, was exchanged. Despite the lack of formal instruction, there was a significant increase in the children's knowledge about cancer and its treatment. Age, sex, diagnosis, years since diagnosis, treatment status and times at camp were not found to be significant determinants of gain in knowledge. No control group was studied, but we believe that the data support the conclusion that attending a camp for children with cancer improves their knowledge of the disease and its treatment.
由于儿科肿瘤营地为患过癌症的儿童提供了一个在非正式、娱乐性环境中与同龄人互动的机会，本研究旨在确定：（1）孩子们是否会在非正式场合讨论癌症及其治疗；（2）如果发生此类讨论，会交流哪些信息；（3）这些互动如何影响孩子们对癌症及其治疗的认识和理解。该研究包括在营地前、营地期间和营地后对受试者进行详细的、开放式的结构化访谈以及观察记录。对50名儿童样本的这些访谈和观察表明，孩子们会进行关于癌症及其治疗的非正式讨论，并且交流了从医疗程序到预后等各种主题的信息。尽管缺乏正式指导，但孩子们对癌症及其治疗的了解有了显著增加。年龄、性别、诊断、确诊后的年份、治疗状况和参加营地的次数并未被发现是知识增长的显著决定因素。未设立对照组，但我们认为这些数据支持这样的结论：参加癌症儿童营地能提高他们对疾病及其治疗的认识。
