Using Kawa model to access everyday experience of children and adolescents at oncology ward

Literature about daily experience of children living with oncological illness using occupational therapy perspective is scarce. The main objective of this study was to find out how are children and adolescents coping with the... [ view full abstract ]

Literature about daily experience of children living with oncological illness using occupational therapy perspective is scarce. The main objective of this study was to find out how are children and adolescents coping with the daily challenges due to hospitalization and what are their experiences regarding occupational circumstances they are facing.
The study was conducted at the oncology ward in largest children’s hospital in Croatia using qualitative methodology. Semistructured interviews were based on children’s interpretation of their own Kawa drawings. Kawa model was selected due to its noninvasive nature and drawings that are media suitable for interaction with children. The study included ten children/adolescents aged 9-18 years.
Trough Kawa model methodology (river drawing) children were sharing their experience of coping with everyday life (especially occupations they are missing in the “outside world” and the poor choice of (wanted) occupations in the hospital), resources and strengths (perseverance, courage, kindness, positivity, dance, sport and hope of finally healing) and environmental features. They pointed their motivation sources (“motivation for life”) and emphasized importance of parental and peer support.
Children and adolescents at the oncology ward are faced with many challenges. In addition to painful medical procedures, they stress isolation from peers, lack of involvement in the desired daily occupation and poor occupational choices at the ward. Our study indicated the appropriateness of Kawa model in working with especially vulnerable groups such as children and adolescents with oncological illness in identifying occupational circumstances and achieving trust and collaborative relationship as a basis for further intervention.