METHODS: This study adopted a focused ethnography design within a constructivist research paradigm. Participant observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 parents, 21 children and 19 nurses in a paediatric oncology unit in Malaysia. All observation fieldnotes and interview recordings were transcribed verbatim. A focused ethnographic data analysis technique was performed to analyse the data.
RESULTS: Three themes emerged regarding parents' roles in the communication and decision-making processes involving their children: i) facilitators of communication; ii) communication brokers and iii) communication buffers.
CONCLUSION: Parents controlled decision-making processes concerning their children, while children preferred and welcomed parents as consultants in the decision-making processes regarding their health care.