Decision-making Experiences of Health Professionals in Withdrawing Treatment for Children and Young People: A Qualitative Study

Overview

Journal Child Care Health Dev

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2022 Jan 7

PMID 34994015

Citations 2

Authors

Shanara Abdin

Gemma Heath

Susan Neilson

James Byron-Daniel

Nic Hooper

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To explore factors that influence professionals in deciding whether to withdraw treatment from a child and how decision making is managed amongst professionals as an individual and as a team.

Study Design: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of health professionals working at a UK Children's Hospital, with children with life-limiting illnesses whose treatment has been withdrawn. Data were transcribed verbatim, anonymized and analysed using a thematic framework method.

Results: A total of 15 participants were interviewed. Five interrelated themes with associated subthemes were generated to help understand the experiences of health professionals in decision making on withdrawing a child's treatment: (1) understanding the child's best interests, (2) multidisciplinary approach, (3) external factors, (4) psychological well-being and (5) recommendations to support shared decision making.

Conclusion: A shared decision-making approach should be adopted to support professionals, children and their families to make decisions collectively.

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