CHANGES IN THE POLICIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEMATOLOGY, 1982-1998, DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN WITH LEUKEMIA AND ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE

A perceived personal control (PPC) preventive intervention model that had earlier received empirical and theoretical verification was applied to a population of pediatric leukemia patients to promote their mental health and enhance their quality of life. The PPC model entails intervention on two complementary levels. On the personal interaction level, preventive intervention is administered by a network of natural and organized support systems, while the social action level leads to the introduction of changes in policies, structures, allocation of resources, and services. Preventive intervention in both domains is discussed with respect to changes in policies introduced between 1982 and 1998 in the hematology department of Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, as well as in other relevant departments catering to children with leukemia, to foster the positive mental health of these children.