A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING TO THE PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS AND THEIR FAMILIES

This article presents a five-point framework to help health-care provi ders understand and manage important psychosocial issues related to La ngerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). It entails frank and open discussio ns with patients and their families of how the disease can affect them individually and collectively. Each point is explained and then appli ed to two different cases. The framework is applicable to all chronic pediatric diseases, but is particularly relevant for rare conditions w ith unknown etiologies such as LCH.