Effect of tele-nursing on the self-efficacy of mothers of children diagnosed with leukemia: A pre-test and post-test, randomized controlled trial

Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, characterized by the abnormal proliferation of immature bone marrow cells, which threatens the child’s health and imposes considerable psychological pressure on mothers as the primary caregivers. Decreased self-efficacy can limit their ability to care for their child. Telenursing, through the use of communication technologies, provides continuous education and support without time and place limitations and can help enhance self-efficacy. This randomized controlled trial with a pretest–posttest design and control group was on 78 mothers of children aged 7 to 12 years with leukemia in pediatric subspecialty hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Samples were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: intervention (n=39) and control (n=39). Data were collected using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-17). The intervention consisted of six 90-minute online training sessions covering disease knowledge, resilience, caregiving skills, and psychological communication support. The independent t-test showed a significant increase in the intervention group's mean self-efficacy score (t= -13.802, P=0.001). Telenursing, by providing structured and continuous education and support, can significantly improve the self-efficacy of mothers of children with leukemia and empower them in managing their child’s care.