Pedraza EC, Raguindin PF, Hendriks MJ, Vokinger AK, De Clercq E, Rüesch K, Hjorth L, von Bueren AO, Tinner EM, Bergstraesser E, Wiener L, Michel G. Palliative care services in paediatric oncology centres across Europe: A cross-sectional survey.
EJC PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY 2023;
2:100125. [PMID:
38223237 PMCID:
PMC10785771 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejcped.2023.100125]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Background
Palliative care (PC) is an integral part of cancer treatment. However, data on service availability is limited in childhood cancers.
Aim
To describe the availability of PC services in paediatric oncology centres across Europe, and to identify barriers and facilitators for implementing and providing paediatric palliative care (PPC).
Methods
Paediatric oncology centres across Europe were invited to complete an online questionnaire.
Results
A total of 158 paediatric oncology centres from 27 European countries participated. More than half of the centres (n=102, 64.6%) reported offering specialised PPC (defined as 24/7 coverage services with specialized physician and a multidisciplinary team). Most centres included a multidisciplinary care team (n=123, 80.9%) and PC at home (n=105, 69.1%). In 38.7% centres, service capacity was reported to be lower than demand. In most centres, PC consultation was initiated for a refractory neoplasm (n=126, 81.2%). Few centres (n=11, 7.1%) offered PC consultation at the time of a new cancer diagnosis. Eighty-two centres (52.6%) reported having bereavement services. Negative parental perception (n=99, 64.7%) and late referrals (n=91, 59.5%) were major barriers to implementation perceived by health care providers.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that specialised PPC is available in more than half of paediatric oncology settings across Europe. Although half have had PPC available for >10 years, many cannot fulfil the demand for service. Barriers to implementation (i.e., parental education, staff training) should be addressed, with resources and services further expanded to cover the demand for PPC, including bereavement care.
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