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Piercy H, Nutting C. The experiences of parents of children diagnosed with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. Child Care Health Dev 2024; 50:e13184. [PMID: 37850425 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare X-linked neurodegenerative disease, affecting the brain, spinal cord and adrenal cortex. Childhood cerebral ALD (CCALD) is the most severe form of disease, involving rapidly progressive neurological deterioration. The treatment option for CCALD is allogenic haemopoietic stem cell transplant, which is only successful for early-stage disease. Parents' experiences of CCALD can inform healthcare delivery. STUDY AIM To detail the experiences of parents of children diagnosed with cerebral ALD. METHODS A descriptive qualitative study. Parents were recruited via a UK-based community support organisation. Data collection involved single semi-structured interviews structured around a topic guide and conducted remotely. Data were analysed using the thematic analysis approach. FINDINGS Twelve parents from 11 families with a total of 16 children with ALD contributed to the study. Their 16 children with ALD followed one of three disease pathways, determined by the extent of neurological damage at diagnosis. Three themes, and their respective sub themes, describe the pathways and what they meant for parents. 'No possibility of treatment' concerns situations when CCALD was diagnosed at an advanced stage, the landslide of deterioration parents witnessed and their efforts to maintain normality. 'Close to the treatment threshold' describes situations where a small treatment window required parents to make agonising treatment decisions. 'Watching and waiting' explains the challenges for parents when disease was detected early enabling children to benefit from timely treatment. DISCUSSION Parents' experiences were largely defined by the extent of cerebral damage at diagnosis, which determined the availability and success of treatment. There were specific challenges related to the three situations, indicating areas where support from health and care services may help parents deal with this devastating diagnosis. CONCLUSION This study indicates support needs of parents across the spectrum of CCALD diagnoses and highlights the critical importance of early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Piercy
- Health Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Charlotte Nutting
- Health Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
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Neefjes V. Parental Ethical Decision Making and Implications for Advance Care Planning: A Systematic Review and Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Literature from England and Wales, Germany, and the Netherlands. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:1728-1743. [PMID: 37262127 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Clinicians and parents are expected to make medical treatment decisions in the child's best interests. To reach their decisions, clinicians typically apply a principled approach outlined by Beauchamp and Childress. How parents make ethical decisions is an under-researched area. A possible model for parental decision making is the Ethics of Care (EoC) theory. Ethical decision making within this framework aims to preserve the caring relationship. What is right or wrong depends on the circumstances at the time. Objective: To identify the parental ethical values and determine whether parental decision making is consistent with EoC, a systematic review and secondary analysis of qualitative research from England and Wales, the Netherlands, and Germany was performed. As part of a larger project investigating conflicts between parents and clinicians about children's medical treatment, the choice of countries was determined by differences in litigation. Methods: Eight databases were searched for articles published between 2010 and 2020 reporting on at least one medical treatment decision made by parents of a child with any life-limiting condition and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Twelve included articles directly addressing advance care planning (ACP) were reanalyzed to investigate whether this specific decision parents are increasingly being asked to make is also consistent with EoC. Results: Forty-three articles were included. Parents use the same 6 ethical values which, consistent with EoC, are mostly in the context of their relationship with the child. All values contributed to the previously identified theme of "being a good parent/person." Analysis of parental decision making in ACP confirmed consistency with EoC. Conclusion: The parental decision-making process is consistent with EoC. That parental decisions aim to maintain the caring relationship and are dependent on the circumstances at the time has implications for parental decision making in ACP and should be reflected in future policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Neefjes
- Center for Social Ethics and Policy, Department of Law, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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van Teunenbroek KC, Kremer LCM, Verhagen AAE, Verheijden JMA, Rippen H, Borggreve BCM, Michiels EMC, Mulder RL. Palliative care for children: methodology for the development of a national clinical practice guideline. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:193. [PMID: 38041060 PMCID: PMC10691037 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01293-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Provision of paediatric palliative care for children with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions and their families is often complex. Guidelines can support professionals to deliver high quality care. Stakeholders expressed the need to update the first Dutch paediatric palliative care guideline with new scientific literature and new topics. This paper provides an overview of the methodology that is used for the revision of the Dutch paediatric palliative care guideline and a brief presentation of the identified evidence. METHODS The revised paediatric palliative care guideline was developed with a multidisciplinary guideline panel of 72 experts in paediatric palliative care and nine (bereaved) parents of children with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. The guideline covered multiple topics related to (refractory) symptom treatment, advance care planning and shared-decision making, organisation of care, psychosocial care, and loss and bereavement. We established six main working groups that formulated 38 clinical questions for which we identified evidence by updating two existing systematic literature searches. The GRADE (CERQual) methodology was used for appraisal of evidence. Furthermore, we searched for additional literature such as existing guidelines and textbooks to deal with lack of evidence. RESULTS The two systematic literature searches yielded a total of 29 RCTs or systematic reviews of RCTs on paediatric palliative care interventions and 22 qualitative studies on barriers and facilitators of advance care planning and shared decision-making. We identified evidence for 14 out of 38 clinical questions. Furthermore, we were able to select additional literature (29 guidelines, two textbooks, and 10 systematic reviews) to deal with lack of evidence. CONCLUSIONS The revised Dutch paediatric palliative care guideline addresses many topics. However, there is limited evidence to base recommendations upon. Our methodology will combine the existing evidence in scientific literature, additional literature, expert knowledge, and perspectives of patients and their families to provide recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leontien C M Kremer
- Princess Máxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- University Medical Centre Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A A Eduard Verhagen
- Department of Paediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Hester Rippen
- Stichting Kind en Ziekenhuis, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Erna M C Michiels
- Princess Máxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renée L Mulder
- Princess Máxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Hirata M, Kobayashi K. Experiences with the end-of-life decision-making process in children with cancer, their parents, and healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-ethnography. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 69:e45-e64. [PMID: 36586777 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decision-making during the end-of-life (EOL) phase for children with cancer is extremely difficult for parents. We synthesized the qualitative experiences of children with cancer, parents, and healthcare professionals (HCPs), and their social interactions during the EOL decision-making process in the pediatric oncology setting. METHODS Meta-ethnography was used to conduct a systematic review and meta-synthesis. We searched four online databases to identify original studies published in English and Japanese and examined 21 relevant studies. Two Japanese reviewers discussed the differences/relationships and included studies that synthesized the translated qualitative findings. A conceptual model of social interactions was created. RESULTS We identified four themes regarding children's, parents', and HCPs' experiences: hope and confrontation with the child's death, guidance and support during uncertainty, awareness of being protected and having hope, and mutual unspoken integration of values. CONCLUSIONS These themes evince the experiences of children, parents, and HCPs during the EOL decision-making process and suggests a complex three-way social interaction model. While considering such distinctive social interactions during a child's EOL, this study revealed the sharing of prudent information and psychosocial support by HCPs. The findings indicate that hope and uncertainty are key elements for effectively understanding the experiences of children and parents and that EOL decision-making should not be rushed but should be supported by leaving room for uncertainty and acknowledging parents' emotional needs and fostering new hope. Further research into how hope can be further supported in situations that are rife with uncertainty is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Hirata
- Department of Nursing, School of Health and Social Services, Saitama Prefectural University, 820 Sannomiya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama 343-8540, Japan.
| | - Kyoko Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke's International University, 10-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0044, Japan
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Bense JE, ter Welle L, Mekelenkamp H, Schimmel M, Louwerens M, Lankester AC, Pieterse AH, de Pagter APJ. Exploring the long-term psychosocial impact of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for nonmalignant diseases. Health Expect 2022; 25:2462-2470. [PMID: 35906795 PMCID: PMC9615066 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An understanding of the long-term psychosocial impact of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for nonmalignant diseases is needed to optimize pre-HSCT counselling, supportive care and long-term follow-up programmes after HSCT for this group of patients and caregivers. METHODS This qualitative study included 14 patients who underwent transplantation for a nonmalignant disease during childhood. In-depth interviews were held online to explore patients' perspectives on the long-term psychosocial impact of HSCT on their lives. The results were analysed based on the Grounded Theory approach. RESULTS Patients' median age at the time of the interview was 19 years (range: 14-49), and the median years after HSCT was 12 years (range: 3-33). Four main themes were identified: (1) doing okay, (2) experiencing persistent involvement with healthcare services, (3) influence on relationships with loved ones and (4) impact on the patient's life course. Subthemes extracted were doing okay, feeling of being cured, health limitations, sense of vulnerability, ongoing connection to the hospital, acceptance, friendship, family relations, development of own identity, not taking life for granted, social development, impact on (school) career and thinking about the future. CONCLUSIONS Patients reported active coping strategies and resilience after this high-impact treatment. The data highlight the need for patient-adjusted supportive care, indicating more need for supportive care in the long-term outpatient clinic. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION This study included patients as participants. Caregivers were approached if patients were below a certain age. Additionally, preliminary results were presented during a patient conference day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëll E. Bense
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem‐Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical CenterDivision of Stem Cell TransplantationLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Lieke ter Welle
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem‐Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical CenterDivision of Stem Cell TransplantationLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Hilda Mekelenkamp
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem‐Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical CenterDivision of Stem Cell TransplantationLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Marieke Schimmel
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem‐Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical CenterDivision of Psychosocial CareLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Marloes Louwerens
- Department of Internal MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Arjan C. Lankester
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem‐Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical CenterDivision of Stem Cell TransplantationLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Arwen H. Pieterse
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Anne P. J. de Pagter
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem‐Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical CenterDivision of Stem Cell TransplantationLeidenThe Netherlands
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Mekelenkamp H, Smiers F, Camp N, Stubenrouch F, Lankester A, de Vries M. Decision making for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with a hemoglobinopathy-Shared or not? Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29099. [PMID: 34003573 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers an established curative option for sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia patients but is associated with significant risks. Decision making is a complex process and shared decision making (SDM) could be a fitting approach in case of such preference-sensitive decisions. This study investigated what level of SDM is used in conversations with hemoglobinopathy patients and/or their caregivers considering HSCT as a curative treatment option. METHODS Longitudinal, descriptive study using the Observing-Patient-Involvement-in-Decision-Making scale (OPTION5 ) scale to determine the level of SDM in conversations with 26 hemoglobinopathy patients and/or their caregivers. RESULTS The total mean OPTION5 score was 43%, which is a moderate SDM approach. There was no difference between conversations with thalassemia patients and SCD patients. Conversations needing an interpreter scored worse than nontranslated conversations. The best scoring OPTION5 item was item 3: "informing about the various treatment options" (mean score 2.3 on scale 0-4). For OPTION5 item 4: "eliciting patients' preferences" a more skilled effort was measured for SCD patients compared to thalassemia patients. CONCLUSIONS The mean OPTION5 score of "moderate" was achieved mainly by giving information on available options, which is primarily a one-way communication. The SDM process can be improved by actively inviting patients to deliberate about options and including their elicited preferences in decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilda Mekelenkamp
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Ethics and Health Law, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frans Smiers
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nomie Camp
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Arjan Lankester
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine de Vries
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Ethics and Health Law, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Specialized Pediatric Palliative Care Services in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Centers. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8080615. [PMID: 34438506 PMCID: PMC8393700 DOI: 10.3390/children8080615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is widely used in pediatric patients as a successful curative therapy for life-threatening conditions. The treatment is intensive, with risks of serious complications and lethal outcomes. This study aimed to provide insight into current data on the place and cause of death of transplanted children, the available specialized pediatric palliative care services (SPPCS), and what services HSCT professionals feel the SPPCS team should provide. First, a retrospective database analysis on the place and cause of death of transplanted pediatric HSCT patients was performed. Second, a survey was performed addressing the availability of and views on SPPCS among HSCT professionals. Database analysis included 233 patients of whom the majority died in-hospital: 38% in the pediatric intensive care unit, 20% in HSCT units, 17% in other hospitals, and 14% at home or in a hospice (11% unknown). For the survey, 98 HSCT professionals from 54 centers participated. Nearly all professionals indicated that HSCT patients should have access to SPPCS, especially for pain management, but less than half routinely referred to this service at an early stage. We, therefore, advise HSCT teams to integrate advance care planning for pediatric HSCT patients actively, ideally from diagnosis, to ensure timely SPPCS involvement and maximize end-of-life preparation.
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Beckmann NB, Dietrich MS, Hooke MC, Gilmer MJ, Akard TF. Parent Caregiving Experiences and Posttraumatic Growth Following Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 2021; 38:242-253. [PMID: 33750237 DOI: 10.1177/1043454221992306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Parents of children recovering from hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) experience significant distress due to unpredictable and potentially life-threatening complications. Distress is heightened by intensive caregiving parents provide the child during the first 100 days after HSCT. Management of distress and adaptation to caregiving responsibilities may be enhanced if parents find benefit in their experiences through posttraumatic growth (PTG), yet little is known about how parents' experiences after HSCT foster PTG. This study aimed to explore how parents experience caregiving and PTG 100 days after children's HSCT. Methods: Thirty-one parents completed semi-structured interviews ∼100 days after children received HSCT. Results: Four major themes emerged from the data to describe parent experiences after HSCT: (1) psychosocial and healthcare contextual factors; (2) cognitive, affective, and social support reactions to HSCT; (3) problem-based, emotion-based, and cognitive coping strategies; and (4) PTG. Discussion: Results increase the understanding of how parents' experiences and caregiving responsibilities contribute to PTG. These findings may guide future research to understand how these experiences influence PTG. Nurses are integral to the parents' experiences. Future work should focus on nursing interventions that enhance positive reinterpretation of parents' experiences after their children's HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole B Beckmann
- School of Nursing, 16194Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA.,Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplant, 65830University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Mary S Dietrich
- School of Nursing, 16194Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - Mary C Hooke
- School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Mary J Gilmer
- School of Nursing, 16194Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - Terrah F Akard
- School of Nursing, 16194Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
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