Development of a Home Chemotherapy Program for Pediatric Oncology Patients

Provision of home chemotherapy to pediatric oncol-ogy patients offers substantial advantages t o children and their families, including improved scheduling and continuity of care and decreased disruption of the family unit. These advantages may positively impact upon both parental anxiety and quality of life for these children and their families. Establishing and maintain-ing a successful home chemotherapy program is a complex task, requiring a detailed orientation program along with an interdisciplinary team approach, a suc-ANY INTENSIVE chemotherapy treat- M ment regimens are now used in pediatric oncology.'S2 Commonly in pediatric oncology programs, many patients are admitted to the hospital solely for the administration of chemo-therapy.3.j Reasons that have necessitated inpa