Background: The management of childhood cancer relies on access to specialized healthcare services and sustained family engagement throughout treatment. Parents are closely involved in treatment decisions and can provide valuable insights into the accessibility and quality of pediatric cancer health care services.
Objective: To explore parental perspectives on accessing pediatric cancer care and identify areas for improvement in healthcare service delivery in Makassar, Indonesia.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was employed at a referral hospital for children with cancer in Makassar City, Indonesia. Thirteen parents of children receiving cancer treatment were selected through purposive sampling. Data were generated through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and examined using inductive thematic analysis.
Results: Analysis generated three themes and eight categories. Parents described several considerations when accessing healthcare services, including referral pathways, healthcare provider expertise, family recommendations, and confidence in treatment. Perceptions of care were influenced by provider communication, professional attitudes, insurance support, and the availability of healthcare facilities. Participants also identified service development priorities, particularly increasing the pediatric oncology specialist and expanding chemotherapy service capacity to enhance treatment access for children with cancer.
Conclusion: Parents of children with cancer consider multiple factors when seeking and accessing appropriate healthcare for their children. Their experiences are shaped by the quality of healthcare delivery, interactions with healthcare providers, and the availability of healthcare resources. Understanding these perspectives can inform efforts to strengthen pediatric oncology services and better address the needs of children with cancer and their families.