Hospices and palliative care for children: converging stories

Initial exploration of training for palliative care specialist nurses in mainland China

This paper describes the initial exploration of training program for palliative care specialist nurses in mainland China. The training program included one month of theoretical learning and one month of clinical practice. The theoretical training contents were mainly set up around four modules such as clinical practice, teaching, scientific research and management. After the theoretical training, the trainees needed to practice in specific clinical practice hospitals. In total, 192 trainees from 27 provinces (municipalities) in mainland China participated in the training program. All trainees passed theoretical and clinical practice examinations. Their knowledge, attitude and behavior concerning palliative care were significantly improved after training (p < 0.001). The overall satisfaction rate of the trainees towards the theoretical courses was 95.6%, and the overall satisfaction rate of the trainees towards the clinical teaching base was 94.2%. The training program for palliative care specialist nurses can ensure the trainees to acquire basic professional knowledge and skills and improve their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors concerning palliative care. However, it is needed to explore training programs that are in part-time model, delivered online or suitable for different levels of nursing staff to improve the accessibility.

Experiencing place identity and place belongingness at a children's hospice: Parents' perspectives

Children's hospices are key players in the provision of palliative care services for families with children with life-limiting conditions (LLCs). However, evidence suggests that some of the negative terminology/language which surrounds the notions of palliative and hospice care may contribute to the lack of uptake of hospice services by families. This article reports two elements of place bonding: parents' experiences of place identity and place belongingness at a children's hospice in a region in England. Underpinned by a constructivist grounded theory methodology, focus groups were undertaken with 24 parents of children with LLCs accessing a children's hospice. Despite initial reservations associated with the identity of the hospice, parents described how and why their view changed and therefore consequently how they were able to experience the hospice differently. This article demonstrates how parents' views of the identity of the hospice change and how the hospice becomes a place where parents experience a sense of belongingness.