1
|
Finlay M, Chakravarti V, Buchanan F, Dewan T, Adams S, Mahant S, Nicholas D, Widger K, McGuire KM, Nelson KE. Learning to Trust Yourself: Decision-Making Skills Among Parents of Children With Medical Complexity. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 68:237-245.e5. [PMID: 38810951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Children with medical complexity have substantial medical needs and their caregivers must make many challenging decisions about their care. Caregivers often become more involved in decisions over time, but it is unclear what skills they develop that facilitate this engagement. OBJECTIVES To describe the skills that caregivers developed as they gained experience making medical decisions. METHODS Eligible caregivers had a child who met referral criteria for their centre's Complex Care program for >1 year, were adults responsible for their child's medical decisions, and spoke English or a language with an available interpreter. We followed a semistructured interview guide to ask caregivers to describe and reflect on two challenging medical decisions that they made for their child-one early and one recent. Guided by interpretive description, we identified and refined themes in an iterative process. RESULTS We conducted 15 interviews with 16 parents (14 [88%] women, two [13%] men) of a child with medical complexity (aged 1-17 years). Parents described 1) becoming more adept at managing decisional information, 2) recognizing the influence of the decision's context, 3) building stronger relationships with providers, and 4) becoming more effective at guiding their child's care as a decision-maker. As parents built these skills, they developed a greater sense of agency and confidence as decision-makers. CONCLUSION Parents of children with medical complexity change how they approach decision making over time as they acquire relevant skills. These findings can inform the development of interventions to support skill-building among new caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Finlay
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences (M.F., F.B., S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Francine Buchanan
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences (M.F., F.B., S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tammie Dewan
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (T.D.), Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Pediatrics (T.D.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sherri Adams
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences (M.F., F.B., S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing (S.A., K.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics (S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), Division of Paediatric Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sanjay Mahant
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences (M.F., F.B., S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics (S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), Division of Paediatric Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (S.M., K.W., K.E.N.), Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (S.M., K.E.N.), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research (S.M.), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Nicholas
- Faculty of Social Work (D.N.), University of Calgary, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kimberley Widger
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing (S.A., K.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (S.M., K.W., K.E.N.), Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Pediatric Advanced Care Team (K.W., K.E.N.), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina Mangonon McGuire
- Patient Research Partner (K.M.), Patient and Community Engagement Research, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katherine E Nelson
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences (M.F., F.B., S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics (S.A., S.M., K.E.N.), Division of Paediatric Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (S.M., K.W., K.E.N.), Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (S.M., K.E.N.), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Pediatric Advanced Care Team (K.W., K.E.N.), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Loura D, Ferreira AM, Romeiro J, Charepe Z. Health-illness transition processes in children with complex chronic conditions and their parents: a scoping review. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:446. [PMID: 38992610 PMCID: PMC11238377 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04919-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of complex chronic conditions (CCC), which cause serious limitations and require specialized care, is increasing. The diagnosis of a CCC is a health-illness transition for children and their parents, representing a long-term change leading to greater vulnerability. Knowing the characteristics of these transitional processes is important for promoting safe transitions in this population. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on health-illness transition processes in children with complex chronic conditions and their parents in the context of healthcare. METHODS Six databases were searched for studies focusing on children aged 0-21 years with CCC and their parents experiencing health-illness transition processes, particularly concerning adaptation to illness and continuity of care, in the context of healthcare. Studies within this scope carried out between 2013 and 2023 and written in Portuguese or English were identified. The articles were selected using the PRISMA methodology. The data were extracted to an instrument and then presented with a synthesizing approach supporting the interpretation of the results. RESULTS Ninety-eight methodologically broad but predominantly qualitative articles were included in this review. Children with CCC have specific needs associated with complex and dynamic health-illness transitions with a multiple influence in their daily lives. Several facilitating factors (p.e. positive communication and a supportive therapeutic relationship with parents and professionals, as well as involvement in a collaborative approach to care), inhibiting factors (p.e. the complexity of the disease and therapeutic regime, as well as the inefficient organization and coordination of teams) and both positive (p.e. well-being and better quality of life) and negative response patterns (p.e. negative feelings about the chronic illness) were identified. Some interventions to support the transitional process also emerged from the literature. Pediatric palliative care is seen as a good practice and an integrative approach for these children and families. CONCLUSION Health professionals play a fundamental role in supporting the transitional process and promoting positive response patterns. More significant investment is needed at the clinical and academic levels regarding production and dissemination of knowledge in this area to ensure the awareness of children with CCC and that their needs are fully enhanced. REVIEW REGISTRATION https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QRZC8 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Loura
- Local Health Unit of São José, Dona Estefânia Hospital, St. Jacinta Marto, N. 8A, 1150-192, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ana Margarida Ferreira
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
- Local Health Unit of Arco Ribeirinho, Nossa Senhora Do Rosário Hospital, Setúbal, Portugal
| | - Joana Romeiro
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
- Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research (CIIS), Lisbon, Portugal
- Catholic University of Portugal, Postdoc-Fellowship Program in Integral Human Development (IHD), CADOS, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Zaida Charepe
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
- Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research (CIIS), Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bosompim Y, Aultman J, Pope J. Specific Trends in Pediatric Ethical Decision-Making: An 18-Year Review of Ethics Consultation Cases in a Pediatric Hospital. HEC Forum 2024:10.1007/s10730-024-09524-7. [PMID: 38416336 DOI: 10.1007/s10730-024-09524-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This is a qualitative examination of ethics consultation requests, outcomes, and ethics committee recommendations at a tertiary/quaternary pediatric hospital in the U.S. The purpose of this review of consults over an 18-year period is to identify specific trends in the types of ethical dilemmas presented in our pediatric setting, the impact of consultation and committee development on the number and type of consults provided, and any clinical features and/or challenges that emerged and contributed to the nature of ethical situations and dilemmas. Furthermore, in reviewing clinical ethics consultation trends for nearly two decades, we can identify topic areas for further ethics education and training for ethics consultants, ethics committee members, and pediatric healthcare teams and professionals based on our experiences. Our study with nearly two decades of data prior to the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as groundwork for future comparisons of consultation requests and ethics support for pediatric hospitals prior to, during, and following a pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaa Bosompim
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Julie Aultman
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA.
- Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH, USA.
| | - John Pope
- Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Polakova K, Ahmed F, Vlckova K, Brearley SG. Parents' experiences of being involved in medical decision-making for their child with a life-limiting condition: A systematic review with narrative synthesis. Palliat Med 2024; 38:7-24. [PMID: 38053373 PMCID: PMC10798032 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231214414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parental involvement in the decision-making processes about medical treatment for children with life-limiting conditions is recognised as good practice. Previous research highlighted factors affecting the decision-making process, but little is known about how parents experience their participation. AIM To explore how parents experience their participation in the process of decision-making about treatment and future care for their children with life-limiting conditions. DESIGN A systematically constructed review using narrative synthesis. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to report the findings. Databases Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched up to December 2023. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO (RN CRD42021215863). RESULTS From the initial 2512 citations identified, 28 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. A wide range of medical decisions was identified; stopping general or life-sustaining treatment was most frequent. Narrative synthesis revealed six themes: (1) Temporal aspects affecting the experience with decision-making; (2) Losing control of the situation; (3) Transferring the power to decide to doctors; (4) To be a 'good' parent and protect the child; (5) The emotional state of parents and (6) Sources of support to alleviate the parental experience. CONCLUSIONS Parental experiences with decision-making are complex and multifactorial. Parents' ability to effectively participate in the process is limited, as they are not empowered to do so and the circumstances in which the decisions are taking place are challenging. Healthcare professionals need to support parental involvement in an effective way instead of just formally asking them to participate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Polakova
- Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Faraz Ahmed
- Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | | | - Sarah G Brearley
- Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vemuri S, Hynson J, Williams K, O'Neill J, Gillam L. Shepherding parents to prepare for end-of-life decision-making: a critical phenomenological study of the communication approach of paediatricians caring for children with life-limiting conditions in Australia. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e075740. [PMID: 38159953 PMCID: PMC10759114 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075740] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Shared decision-making is widely accepted as the best approach for end-of-life decision-making for children with life-limiting conditions. Both paediatricians and parents find benefit in preparing for such decisions. However, little detail is known about this preparatory process. This study aims to explore how paediatricians prepare parents for end-of-life decision-making for a child with a life-limiting condition using clinical simulation. DESIGN Individual, semistructured, post-simulation qualitative interviews of paediatricians and parent-actors. SETTING Acute intensive and long-term outpatient paediatric care in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS 18 purposively sampled paediatricians who treat children with life-limiting conditions and the two parent-actors involved in all simulations. Paediatricians were excluded if they assisted in the study design, worked within specialist palliative care teams or did not provide clinical care outside the neonatal period. RESULTS Three key themes in a preparatory process (termed 'shepherding') were identified: (1) paediatricians aim to lead parents along a pathway to future end-of-life decisions, (2) paediatricians prefer to control the pace of these discussions and (3) paediatricians recognise they need to have courage to face risk with this preparation. Paediatricians use a variety of shepherding strategies to influence the pace, content and framing of discussions, which may help prepare parents to make the best end-of-life treatment decisions when the time comes. CONCLUSIONS Shepherding is a newly identified, subtle process intended to influence parents by guiding their understanding of their child's health and potential suffering in advance of decision-making. Shepherding does not fit within current descriptions of physicians' decision-making influence. Paced reflection, thinking and provision of information are shepherding strategies preferred by paediatricians, and these appear the same regardless of whether paediatricians intend to steer parents towards particular treatment decisions or simply prepare them for the process of decision-making. Further study about the intention of this influence and parental perception of this communication is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sidharth Vemuri
- Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jenny Hynson
- Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina Williams
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jenny O'Neill
- Children's Bioethics Centre, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lynn Gillam
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Children's Bioethics Centre, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|