Oncology - Camp Okizu

Oncology - Camp Okizu Goals and Objectives

This elective is ideal for 2 weeks and can be a combination of patient and sibling experiences. The trainee rotating during oncology weeks will become familiar with management of oncology care (and the psychosocial consequences for children with cancer) in a camp setting, including patients on active therapy, patients who have completed therapy, and patients who have failed conventional therapy. Care will include administration and monitoring of chemotherapy, modifying camp activities to be appropriate to the child with physical or cognitive/behavioral disabilities secondary to their cancer or its treatment, the inherent environmental risks to a child with cancer in a traditional summer camp setting, and managing the physical and psychosocial challenges faced by children with cancer. Medical care will also involve diagnosing and managing general pediatric problems including minor trauma, insect bites, dehydration, sun exposure, and minor respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses that may arise during camp. Those participating in sibling sessions will become familiar with the psychosocial and emotional stressors and consequences for siblings and possibly other family members related to a cancer diagnosis in a child, and may have the opportunity to participate in facilitated peer support discussion groups for older sibling campers and bereaved sibling campers. In sibling sessions, medical care will also involve diagnosing and managing general pediatric problems including minor trauma, insect bites, dehydration, sun exposure, and minor respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses that may arise during camp. Typically, a significant proportion of sibling campers may also have asthma, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, or other medical or psychosocial issues that need to be managed during camp.