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Nilsson S, Öhlén J, Nyblom S, Ozanne A, Stenmarker M, Larsdotter C. Place of death among children from 0 to 17 years of age: A population-based study from Sweden. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:2155-2163. [PMID: 38819101 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17308] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study is to contribute to the development of paediatric palliative care by investigating, on a population basis, where children in Sweden died, from 2013 to 2019. A particular focus was on comparing two groups: children who died during their first year of life with children who died at 1-17 years of age. METHODS We hypothesised that there might be variations in place of death between the defined groups. Utilising national registry data, descriptive statistics were used to assess the distribution and variations in the place of death. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the impact of associated factors. RESULTS Most children died in hospitals (74.7%). The hypothesis postulating divergences in the place of death between age groups was not substantiated. Sex and birthplace showed no significant differences in home deaths. Deaths due to malignancies had a relatively high likelihood of occurring at home (39.0%). For perinatal diagnoses, the incidence of home deaths was relatively low (1.5%). CONCLUSION Children who received support from a specialist palliative service in their own homes were notably less likely to die in a hospital setting compared to those who did not receive such support. An unplanned hospital visit increased the likelihood of hospital death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nilsson
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joakim Öhlén
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Palliative Centre, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stina Nyblom
- Palliative Centre, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anneli Ozanne
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Margaretha Stenmarker
- Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Paediatrics, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Larsdotter
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Shack AR, Fried I, Siedner-Weintraub Y. Palliative team involvement in end-of-life care for Jewish and Muslim children in Jerusalem: A unique clinical and cultural context. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:163-168. [PMID: 36872568 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000159] [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: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pediatric palliative care services improve the quality of life for children with life-limiting and life-threatening diseases, although little has been published about variation based on cultural and religious factors. This article sets out to describe clinical and cultural characteristics of pediatric end-of-life patients in a majority Jewish and Muslim country with religious and legal constraints around end-of-life care. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of 78 pediatric patients who died during a 5-year period and could potentially have utilized pediatric palliative care services. RESULTS Patients reflected a range of primary diagnoses, most commonly oncologic diseases and multisystem genetic disorders. Patients followed by the pediatric palliative care team had less invasive therapies, more pain management and advance directives, and more psychosocial support. Patients from different cultural and religious backgrounds had similar levels of pediatric palliative care team follow-up but certain differences in end-of-life care. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS In a culturally and religiously conservative context that poses constraints on decision-making around end-of-life care, pediatric palliative care services are a feasible and important means of maximizing symptom relief, as well as emotional and spiritual support, for children at the end of life and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avram R Shack
- Pediatric Palliative Care Unit, Wilf Children's Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Departmet of Pediatrics, Wilf Children's Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Iris Fried
- Pediatric Palliative Care Unit, Wilf Children's Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Unit, Wilf Children's Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yael Siedner-Weintraub
- Pediatric Palliative Care Unit, Wilf Children's Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Wilf Children's Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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Vasli P, Karami M, AsadiParvar-Masouleh H. Pediatric palliative care for children with cancer: a concept analysis using Rodgers' evolutionary approach. World J Pediatr 2022; 18:791-803. [PMID: 36100798 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-022-00600-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Providing access to pediatric palliative care (PPC) for children living with a serious illness, such as cancer, is of critical importance, although this specialized intervention, as a novel concept, still seems vague and complicated. The present study analyzed the concept of PPC for children with cancer. METHODS Rodgers' evolutionary method was employed for the concept analysis. Articles on PPC, particularly those for children suffering from cancer, published between 2010 and 2021 were searched in valid academic research databases. The inclusion criteria for the full-text articles were based on the characteristics, antecedents, and consequences of PPC for children with cancer. RESULTS In total, 19 relevant articles were selected and then reviewed and analyzed after applying the inclusion criteria and the final sampling. The analysis of the concept of PPC for children affected with cancer revealed four characteristics, including "PPC as holistic and integrated care", "PPC as patient- and family-centered care", "PPC as early-start continuous care", and "PPC as interdisciplinary and team-based care". Some effective factors could also act as antecedents for this concept, i.e., health care providers' training and expertise as well as human resources and financing. Moreover, improved quality of life, symptom reduction, and coordination between patient care and family support were among the PPC consequences for such children. CONCLUSIONS The study results demonstrated that delivering PPC to children with cancer demanded a comprehensive view of its various dimensions. Furthermore, numerous factors need to be delineated for its accurate and complete implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvaneh Vasli
- Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Vali Asr Ave., Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani Cross Road, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Karami
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Kang KA, Yu S, Kim CH, Lee MN, Kim S, Kwon SH, Kim S, Kim HS, Park MH, Choi SE. Nurses' Perceived Needs and Barriers Regarding Pediatric Palliative Care: A Mixed-Methods Study. JOURNAL OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2022; 25:85-97. [PMID: 37675196 PMCID: PMC10180034 DOI: 10.14475/jhpc.2022.25.2.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to describe nurses' perceived needs and barriers to pediatric palliative care (PPC). Methods Mixed methods with an embedded design were applied. An online survey was conducted for nurses who participated in the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium- Pediatric Palliative Care (ELNEC-PPC) train-the-trainer program, of whom 63 responded. Quantitative data were collected with a survey questionnaire developed through the Delphi method. The 47 items for needs and 15 items for barriers to PPC were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected through open- ended questions and analyzed with topic modeling techniques. Results The mean scores of most subdomains of the PPC needs were 3.5 or higher out of 4, and those of PPC barriers ranged from 3.22 to 3.56, indicating the items in the questionnaire developed in this study properly reflect each factor. The needs for PPC were divided into 4 categories "children and adolescents," "families," "PPC management system," and "community-based PPC." Meanwhile, PPC barriers were divided into 3 categories "healthcare delivery system," "healthcare provider," and "client." The keywords derived from the topic modeling were perception, palliative, children, and education for necessities and lack, perception, medical care, professional care providers, service, and system for barriers to PPC. Conclusion In this study, by using mixed-methods, items of nurses' perceived needs and barriers to PPC were identified, categorized, and weighted, and their meanings were explored. For the stable establishment of PPC, the priority should be given to improving perceptions of PPC, establishing an appropriate system, and training professional care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Ah Kang
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea
| | - SuJeong Yu
- Department of Nursing, Sangji University, Wonju, Korea
| | - Cho Hee Kim
- College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myung-Nam Lee
- College of Health Science, Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Samcheok, Korea
| | - Sujeong Kim
- Department of Family Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Research Institute for Hospice/Palliative Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - So-Hi Kwon
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sanghee Kim
- Yonsei University College of Nursing & Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Sook Kim
- Department of Nursing, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong, Korea
| | - Myung-Hee Park
- Hospice & Palliative Care Center, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Eun Choi
- Regional Hospice Care Team, Regional Hospice Center, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
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Laronne A, Granek L, Wiener L, Feder-Bubis P, Golan H. "Some things are even worse than telling a child he is going to die": Pediatric oncology healthcare professionals perspectives on communicating with children about cancer and end of life. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29533. [PMID: 34958524 PMCID: PMC9369103 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study explored pediatric oncology healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perspectives on direct communication with children with advanced disease about their disease, palliative care, and end-of-life (EOL) communication. METHODS Forty-six pediatric oncologists, nurses, psychosocial team members, and other HCPs from six hospital centers in Israel participated in semi-structured interviews. The Grounded Theory method was used. Data were analyzed line-by-line with codes and categories developed inductively from participants' narratives. RESULTS HCPs viewed communication about disease progression and EOL as vital because children were often aware of their prognosis, because lack of communication could lead to emotional distress, and because communication is a prerequisite for shared decision-making. HCPs identified several barriers for communication including HCP barriers (such as emotional strains, lack of training), parental barriers, guardianship law, and language and culture. HCPs also described strategies to promote EOL communication. Direct strategies include tailoring communication, allowing for silence, echoing children's questions, giving information gradually, and answering direct questions honestly. Indirect strategies included encouraging parents to talk to their children and teamwork with colleagues. CONCLUSIONS Open communication with children who have cancer is essential. Nevertheless, multiple barriers persist. The rising accessibility of online information calls for urgent training of HCPs in communication so that children will not turn to unmediated and potentially misleading information online in the absence of HCP communication. Evidence-based effective communication training modules and emotional support should be offered to HCPs. Knowledge about children's development, age-appropriate communication, and cultural sensitivity should be included in this training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Laronne
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Leeat Granek
- School of Health Policy and Management and Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lori Wiener
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Paula Feder-Bubis
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences and Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Hana Golan
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology Department, Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Abstract
Purpose of this Review The purpose of this review is to describe the evolution of palliative care in paediatric oncology, the needs of children and their families in a paediatric oncology setting, palliative care referral practices in paediatric oncology, outcomes of palliative care referral in paediatric oncology and models of palliative care in paediatric oncology. Recent Findings Cancer constitutes 5.2% of the palliative care needs in children. Approximately, 90% of children with cancer lives in low and middle-income countries, constituting 84% of the global burden of childhood cancers. Children in low and middle-income countries have low cure rates and high death rates making palliative care relevant in a paediatric oncology setting. Children with cancer experience pain and physical symptoms, low mood, anxiety, and fear. They feel less resilient, experience low self-worth, and have challenges coping with the illness. The families lead very stressful lives, navigating the hospital environment, and dealing with uncertainties of the future. Palliative care referral in children with cancer improves physical symptoms, emotional support, and quality of life. It enables communication between families and health care providers. It improves end-of-life care support to children and their families and facilitates less invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions at the end of life. Worldwide children with cancer are infrequently referred to palliative care and referred late in the illness trajectory. Most of the children referred to palliative care receive some form of cancer-directed therapy in their last days. Children in low and low-middle income countries are less likely to access palliative care due to a lack of awareness amongst paediatric oncologists about palliative care and the reduced number of services providing palliative care. A three-tier model is proposed to provide palliative care in paediatric oncology, where most children with palliative care needs are managed by paediatric oncologists and a smaller number with complex physical and psychosocial needs are managed by paediatric palliative care specialists. There are several palliative care models in paediatric oncology practised globally. However, no one model was considered better or superior, and the choice of model depended on the need, preferences identified, and available resources. Summary Children with cancer are sparingly referred to palliative care and referred late and oncologists and haematologists gatekeep the referral process. Knowledge on palliative care referral in paediatric oncology settings might enhance collaboration between paediatric oncology and paediatric palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Salins
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
| | - Sean Hughes
- Division of Health Research, Health Innovation One, Lancaster University, Sir John Fisher Drive, Lancaster, LA1 4AT UK
| | - Nancy Preston
- Division of Health Research, Health Innovation One, Lancaster University, Sir John Fisher Drive, Lancaster, LA1 4AT UK
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Laronne A, Granek L, Wiener L, Feder-Bubis P, Golan H. Organizational and individual barriers and facilitators to the integration of pediatric palliative care for children: A grounded theory study. Palliat Med 2021; 35:1612-1624. [PMID: 34219546 PMCID: PMC10087284 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211026171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric palliative care has established benefits for children with cancer and their families. Overcoming organizational and healthcare provider barriers have been demonstrated as central for the provision of palliative care in pediatric oncology. A deeper understanding is needed of the influence of these barriers and the interactions between them, specifically in primary palliative care in hospital settings. AIM To identify the organizational and healthcare provider barriers to the provision of primary pediatric palliative care. DESIGN This study utilized the grounded theory method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed line by line, using NVivo software. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Forty-six pediatric oncologists, nurses, psychosocial team members, and other healthcare providers from six academic hospital centers participated in the research. RESULTS Organizational and healthcare provider factors were identified, each of which acted as both a barrier and facilitator to the provision of pediatric palliative care. Organizational barriers included lack of resources and management. Facilitators included external resources, resource management, and a palliative care center within the hospital. Individual barriers included attitudes toward palliative care among pediatric oncologists, pediatric oncologists' personalities, and the emotional burden of providing palliative care. Facilitators include dedication and commitment, initiative, and sense of meaning. Provider facilitators for palliative care had a buffering effect on organizational barriers. CONCLUSION Organizational and healthcare provider factors influence the quality and quantity of palliative care given to children and their families. This finding has implications on interventions structured to promote primary palliative care for children, especially in healthcare systems and situations where resources are limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Laronne
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Leeat Granek
- School of Health Policy and Management and Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lori Wiener
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paula Feder-Bubis
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences and Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Hana Golan
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology Department, Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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