"Mindful Journey" Exploring the Informational Behavior of Mothers of Children with Leukemia During the Care Transition to Home: A Qualitative Study

Background: Leukemia, as a debilitating and life-threatening disease, not only jeopardizes children's physical health but also leaves profound consequences for parents. Active participation of parents as the primary caregivers in the treatment journey, particularly during the transition to home care, requires adequate knowledge and skills to manage complex caregiving tasks. Objective: This study aimed to explore the information-seeking behaviors of Iranian mothers caring for children with leukemia during the transition to home care. Methods: This qualitative content analysis with a conventional approach was conducted in two pediatric subspecialty centers in Iran between May ۲۰۲۳ and June ۲۰۲۴. Fourteen mothers of children with leukemia were purposefully selected and engaged in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's (۲۰۰۴) method. The study followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). Results: Five main categories were identified under the overarching theme of "Conscious striving for caregiving empowerment”: (۱) mothers' vigilance and continuous effort to learn, (۲) sharing experiences with peer mothers, (۳) seeking reassurance through interactions with professional caregivers, (۴) cautious use of virtual spaces, and (۵) distrust toward caregiving advice from non-expert relatives. Conclusion: The findings revealed that mothers of children with leukemia play an active and vigilant role in searching, critically evaluating, and applying caregiving information during the transition to home care. The results highlight the significance of healthcare professionals as trusted sources of information, and peer mothers as valuable experiential and emotional supports. These insights can inform the development of tailored educational and supportive programs for parents, thereby improving home care quality and child health outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Leukemia ، Cancer ، Children ، Mothers ، Care transition ، Information-seeking behaviors ، Qualitative study