Changes in the policies of the department of Hematology, 1982-1998, designed to promote the mental health of children with leukemia and enhance theirquality of life

A perceived personal control (PPC) preventive intervention model that had e arlier received empirical and theoretical verification was applied to a pop ulation of pediatric leukemia patients to promote their mental health and e nhance their quality of life. The PPC model entails intervention on two com plementary levels. On the personal interaction level, preventive interventi on is administered by a network of natural and organized support systems, w hile the social action level leads to the introduction of changes in polici es, structures, allocation of resources, and services. Preventive intervent ion In both domains is discussed with,respect to changes in policies introd uced between 1982 and 1998 in the hematology department of Rambam Medical C enter in Haifa, Israel, as well as in other relevant departments. catering to children with leukemia, to foster the positive mental health of these ch ildren.