Oncologist Conceptualizations of Pediatric Palliative Care: Challenges and Definitions

Overview

Journal Support Care Cancer

Specialties Critical Care
Oncology

Date 2021 Jan 4

PMID 33392772

Citations 6

Authors

Anat Laronne

Leeat Granek

Lori Wiener

Paula Feder-Bubis

Hana Golan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Pediatric palliative care (PC) is an evolving field and involves a comprehensive approach to care of children with cancer. The goal of this paper was to explore how pediatric oncologists define, interpret, and practice pediatric palliative care in their clinical settings.

Methods: The study used the grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis. Twenty-one pediatric oncologists from six pediatric cancer centers across Israel were interviewed. Data was analyzed using line-by-line coding.

Results: The analysis resulted in a four-tiered conceptual model. This model included the following categories: (1) ill-defined concept; (2) philosophies of palliative care; (3) trajectory of palliative care; and (4) palliative care treatment goals.

Conclusion: The findings illustrate the current conceptualizations of pediatric palliative care among the pediatric oncology community in Israel. The conceptual model documents their understanding of pediatric palliative care as a philosophical approach and the challenges they face in differentiating between palliative care and standard pediatric oncology care. Pediatric palliative care is a highly needed and valued sub-specialty. The findings from this study highlight the importance for its continued development in Israel, as it can reduce the suffering of children and their families. Concurrently, pediatric oncologists need to have more resources and access to explicit knowledge of the conceptual and practical aspects of both primary and specialized pediatric palliative care.

Citing Articles

Barriers and facilitators influencing referral and access to palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions: a scoping review of the evidence.

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Nurses' Perceived Needs and Barriers Regarding Pediatric Palliative Care: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Kang K, Yu S, Kim C, Lee M, Kim S, Kwon S J Hosp Palliat Care. 2023; 25(2):85-97.

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Pediatric palliative care for children with cancer: a concept analysis using Rodgers' evolutionary approach.

Vasli P, Karami M, Asadiparvar-Masouleh H World J Pediatr. 2022; 18(12):791-803.

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Palliative Care in Paediatric Oncology: an Update.

Salins N, Hughes S, Preston N Curr Oncol Rep. 2022; 24(2):175-186.

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"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.

Laronne A, Granek L, Wiener L, Feder-Bubis P, Golan H Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021; 69(3):e29533.

PMID: 34958524 PMC: 9369103. DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29533.

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