Chen Yueh-chih, R.N., Ph. D.
In Taiwan cancer has become the second leading cause
of death of children in late 1970’s, subjecting health care professionals to
new challenges in carrying out their duties. Not only is the treating long, but relapses often occur,
requiring expensive, repeated hospitalization and appropriate care. By November 1982 the Childhood Cancer Foundation
(CCF) of the Republic of China became a government-sanctioned reality, with a
board of directors comprising physicians, nurses and business leaders. CCF’s primary concern has been to
provide individualized and continuing care. In 1991, a comparative study was done to compare the
differences in health care for children with cancer in 1981and 1991 in
Taiwan. The concept of a
well-established health care delivery system, including accessibility, continuity,
efficiency, dynamism, and integration, served as the conceptual framework for
the study. The results showed
that: a). medical are improved—the length of time between symptom and diagnosis
was shorter, the number of clinic visits before diagnosis decreased, and the
length of time hospitalization was much shorter with most children receiving
their health care in hospital near their own town; b). pain control at the
terminal stage improved with 70% of mothers stating that their child’s pain had
received appropriate care; and c). the role and function of the physician and
the nurse were more recognized by patients.
It was evident that CCF did make great contribution to
health care for children with cancer in Taiwan in 19 years. We are currently conducting a
longitudinal study in 2001. The
results will be the base of the pediatric oncology care in the 21th century.