Children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
School-age cancer children
Families of children with cancer
School teachers and nurses
Schools in Tainan-Chiayi area
NCKUH's Pediatric Oncology Team, with its unique model of 'hospital-led, early intervention, and individualized care,' introduces the concept of school reintegration from the initial diagnosis family meeting. The team overcomes multiple barriers (family concerns, school refusals, administrative difficulties) through case manager-led school return conferences (virtual and in-person) and multidisciplinary collaboration. Over 5 years, 196 cancer children completed school reintegration assessment; 88 were deemed suitable, with 81 successfully returning to school (92.0% success rate). 144 return-to-school conferences were held. Family satisfaction: 4.88/5; school satisfaction: 4.72/5. Awarded the 2024 Florence Nightingale Special Contribution Gold Award.
Hospital-led: proactively convenes school return meetings
Early intervention: school reintegration introduced at initial diagnosis
Individualized care: customized assessment (parent/school/child versions)
Cross-disciplinary collaboration: oncology psychologist, child life specialists, NGO
Established school reintegration care map for Tainan-Chiayi region
5-year period: 196 cancer children assessed for school return
88 eligible for return; 81 successfully returned to school
144 school return conferences held (virtual + in-person)
Increasing number of partner schools in Tainan-Chiayi
Ongoing quality of life assessments (C-POS)
School reintegration success rate: 92.0% (81/88)
Negative peer interaction rate: improved to 15.38% (original study: 80%)
Family satisfaction: 4.88/5
School satisfaction: 4.72/5
Overall pediatric oncology team satisfaction: 4.89/5
4 quality indicators established with quarterly monitoring
Ongoing PDCA cycle for continuous improvement
2023: Only 2/13 returned children unable to integrate into class
Regular quality of life assessment using C-POS
Education/learning needs integrated into palliative care assessment
Family satisfaction: 4.88/5 ('My child never really left school')
School nurse: 'NCKUH's care is exceptional and reassuring'
Teachers: 'The conference helped me understand the child's condition better'
2 international conference presentations (Guangzhou Strait Nursing Forum; Indonesia Holistic Care Symposium)
1 domestic conference presentation
7 research articles, 3 master's theses
Assisted Chiayi Christian Hospital in establishing pediatric oncology care foundation
Taiwan's first hospital-led cancer children school reintegration model
Established cancer-child-friendly educational environment in Tainan-Chiayi
First to integrate educational needs into regular palliative care assessment
Early intervention at cancer diagnosis for school reintegration
NGO included as post-return co-care partner
