This study examines the experiences of fathers of children diagnosed with cancer. In this grounded theory study, participating fathers were qualitatively interviewed using a theoretical sampling approach. Results indicate fathers to be profoundly affected by their child's condition of cancer. Fathers' experiences include isolation and heightened sadness and uncertainty. Paternal roles comprise providing family support, sufficient resources, and seeking to maintain family stabilization. Post-diagnosis lived experience is described to hold new meaning as fathers reconcile the presence of childhood cancer within the life of their child and family. Strategies of resistance are demonstrated as fathers combat the devastating impacts of cancer through a commitment to family integration, healthy personal lifestyle and attitudes, support seeking, spirituality, and reframing of priorities. An emerging model is presented, as are implications for practice and recommendations.

The author examined the experience of fathers who have a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). He used grounded theory methodology, in which 22 fathers participated in semistructured interviews, and developed a substantive theory of fathers' experience that addresses the impact of their child's JRA, their adaptational responses, and the meanings they associated with their experiences. Fathers were profoundly affected, perceived their child's condition as a catalyst for meaningful involvement, experienced many emotions, and sought to adopt a positive approach to making sense of their child's condition. Fathers' efforts to be strong for others resulted in an overreliance on self-support strategies, particularly during periods of high stress. Given the nature of fathers' experience and the extent of their involvement, greater attention by health care practitioners to fathers' adaptation is indicated.

This study explored impacts of an online support network for fathers of a child with a brain tumor. Evaluation comprised pre/post-intervention questionnaires, content analysis of online network postings, and post-intervention qualitative interviews. Findings suggest that this intervention was beneficial to fathers. Positive effects on paternal coping were demonstrated, as were opportunities to grapple with difficult issues related to having a child with a brain tumor. Fathers recommended a combined resource of online and face-to-support, including the development of a support network with a larger participant base. Implications for practice are examined.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is considered a hallmark of excellence in clinical practice. However, many social workers are uncertain about how to implement this approach to practice. EBP involves integrating clinical expertise and values with the best available evidence from systematic research while simultaneously considering the client's values and expectations--all within the parameters of the agency mandate and any legislative or environmental considerations. This article explores the feasibility of EBP and attempts to steer a course between those who advocate an EBP model that may appear unachievable to many clinicians and those who dismiss it outright on philosophical grounds. Five areas that affect the feasibility of EBP are explored: misconceptions about EBP, confusion about philosophical issues, questions about the quality of evidence needed to support EBP, substantive knowledge domains required for practice, and issues related to knowledge transfer and translation. An important theme of this analysis is the central role of clinical judgment in all aspects of EBP.