Hospitals Help Families Cope: The Psychological Toll of a Child’s Illness

The Wall Street Journal:

When a child faces cancer or another serious illness, the main focus, of necessity, is on a cure. What is often overlooked in the maze of medical treatments is the emotional and psychological toll on families.

Now, evidence shows that problems coping can interfere with medical care and families’ adherence to treatment. And emotional issues can cause longer-term complications for both parents and children. More hospitals are working to prevent such headwinds by formally assessing families for concerns ranging from financial worries and child-care gaps to sibling problems, depression, and anger-management issues.

Read the whole story: The Wall Street Journal