A summary of pediatric palliative care team structure and services as reported by centers caring for children with cancer

Article indépendant

WEAVER, Meaghann S. | ROSENBERG, Abby R. | TAGER, Julia | WICHMAN, Christopher S. | WIENER, Lori

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the composition, availability, integration, communication, perceived barriers, and work load of pediatric palliative care (PPC) providers serving children and adolescents with cancer. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the structure and services of programs to better understand successes and gaps in implementing palliative care as a standard of care. METHODS: Cross-sectional online survey about the palliative care domains determined by the Psychosocial Care of Children with Cancer and Their Families Workgroup. SUBJECTS: A total of 142 surveys were completed with representation from 18 countries and 39 states. RESULTS: Three-fourths of sites reported having a PPC program available for the pediatric cancer population at their center. Over one-fourth (28%) have been in existence less than five years. Fewer than half of sites (44%) offered 24/7 access to palliative care consultations. Neither hospital-based nor local community hospice services were available for pediatric patients at 24% of responding sites. A specific inpatient PPC unit was available at 8% of sites. Criteria for automatic palliative referrals (“trigger” diagnoses) were reported by 44% respondents. The presence of such “triggers” increased the likelihood of palliative principle introduction 3.41 times (p < 0.003). Six percent of respondents perceived pediatric oncology patients and their families “always” were introduced to palliative care concepts and 17% reported children and families “always” received communication about palliative principles. The most prevalent barriers to palliative care were at the provider level. DISCUSSION: Children and adolescents with cancer do not yet receive concurrent palliative care as a universal standard.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2017.0405

Voir la revue «JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE, 21»

Autres numéros de la revue «JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE»

• Description
• Sujet/Public
• Outil
• Outil d'anticipation
• Gestion