The purpose of this study is to find out whether participation in the Op Koers Online group course helps you cope with the illness and the consequences of the illness for you and your family. We also want to find out whether the course reduces psychosocial problems, or prevents these problems from developing.
A draw will determine whether you can immediately participate in the online group course Op Koers Online or whether you will first be put on a waiting list. If so, you will be able to participate in the course after six months. All parents fill in questionnaires at several moments during the study.
Who
Do you want to participate in this study? You can if:
- your child is being treated or has been treated in a paediatric Oncology Centre such as the Princess Máxima Center
- the diagnosis was made less than 5 years ago
- your child was between 0 and 18 years old at the time of the diagnosis.
- your child is still living at home when you take part in the study.
In order to participate in the study, and therefore in the Op Koers Online course, you do not need to have any special complaints.
What
There are two courses:
- one for parents who have a child that is still under treatment;
- one for parents who have a child of whom the treatment has ended.
The Op Koers Online course consists of six online chat sessions of 1.5 hours each. The course is given to groups of three to six parents, supervised by a psychologist and a social worker from the Princess Máxima Centre. The parents and course leaders log in at a fixed time each week and chat with each other in a secure chat box.
The course covers various topics, such as:
- How do you deal with the diagnosis, treatment and the phase after?
- How do you support your child?
- What helps you to divide the attention between the sick child and the other children in the family?
- How do you communicate with your employer, your child's school and support services?
- What can you do to keep the balance between your caring tasks, work and time for yourself?
In March and May, four groups will start, two on a weekday evening and two on a weekday.
Join
If you are interested in the course and the research, you can register online at www.opkoersonline.nl/onderzoek. You can also send an e-mail to opkoers@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl.
Would you like more information?
Click here for the leaflet.
For more information, please contact Mala Joosten, remedial educationalist-researcher via opkoers@prinsesmaximacenrum.nl or 06-50006729.