Abstract
Up to a third of patients suffering from cancer are parents to young children and teenagers. Bereavement can affect children deeply although not all families and children who face loss are in need of specialised support. Many families report needing support with children in relation to age appropriate information and communication about a parent’s cancer diagnosis. The Think Family project, a collaboration between the University of Surrey, a National Health Service (NHS) trust and two charity organisations in the United Kingdom (UK), was prompted by a lack of knowledge about how specialist oncology and palliative care staff manage families and children who experience prebereavement due to parental cancer in the acute sector. The project focused on exploring the experiences and needs of oncology and palliative care staff and on increasing awareness and confidence regarding the needs of families with children. The study was designed as a collaborative project using case study methodology. A three stage study was undertaken during 2013 - 2014 using focus group and individual interviews, a collaborative data analysis event; and a staff training workshoprelated to the needs of parents with advanced cancer and dependent children. Three key themes emerged from the data which are: ‘a challenging and complex area’, ‘supporting parents to support children’, and ‘the needs of oncology staff in relation to the support of families’.