Facing childhood cancer is an unimaginable challenge, and the emotional toll on children and their families can be immense. But what if there was a way to provide comprehensive psychological support within the very walls of a cancer hospital? This is the reality at the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital (VNCH), where Dr. ĐỖ TUYẾT MAI, a dedicated Psycho-Oncologist and Mental Health Researcher, is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative.
Each year, the Paediatrics Department at VNCH welcomes over 300 children for cancer treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy. The existing palliative care primarily focuses on symptom management and pain relief. However, the medical staff often face immense workloads, leaving little time for empathetic communication. Social support is limited, and integrated psychological care has been missing – until now.
The Solution: A Dedicated Psychological Counselling Room
The core of Dr. Mai's program involves establishing a dedicated psychological counselling room within the Paediatrics Department. This space offers:
- Effective communication support.
- Psychological education.
- Mental health consultations for families.
How is this integrated into the existing healthcare system?
This innovative model works to:
- Change the perception of paediatric oncologists, emphasizing the importance of psychological care.
- Incorporate communication skills and therapeutic activities into daily cancer care routines.
- Translate and standardize a screening tool (PAT tool) to assess psychological stress in families, enabling early intervention.
- Organize educational sessions and provide psychological skills training for children and families.
- Offer consultations, examinations, counselling, and medication management for children undergoing treatment.
- Provide counselling and support to families during end-of-life care.
The Innovation: A First in Vietnam
This initiative marks a significant milestone as the first paediatric cancer care facility in Vietnam to integrate a full-time psychologist into routine care. Furthermore, it's the first to translate and standardize the PAT tool for clinical use in Vietnam.
Ensuring Long-Term Success: Sustainability
The program is designed for long-term impact through:
- Increased awareness of the importance of psychological care among cancer care staff.
- The use of multidisciplinary team models to improve care outcomes and reduce the burden on clinicians.
- The availability of standardized tools for early screening and intervention.
Key Lessons Learned: Navigating the Challenges
The project team has learned valuable lessons, including:
- Maintaining consistent communication with hospital leaders and managers.
- Defining clear goals and developing specific plans.
- Working collaboratively, leveraging the energy of young and dynamic team members.
- Actively seeking and utilizing all available connections.
But here's where it gets controversial... The introduction of psychological care can sometimes face resistance within established medical systems. What do you think are the biggest hurdles in integrating mental health services into cancer care, and how can they be overcome?
Figure 1 shows the counselling room established in March 2025.
Figure 2 shows the inside of the psychological counselling room at the Paediatric Department at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital.
And this is the part most people miss... The impact of this program extends beyond immediate care, potentially shaping the future of paediatric cancer care in Vietnam. Do you believe this model could be replicated in other hospitals, and what adaptations might be necessary? Let's discuss in the comments!
