1. Impact of specialized pediatric palliative care programs on communication and decision-making.
- Author
-
Streuli JC, Widger K, Medeiros C, Zuniga-Villanueva G, and Trenholm M
- Subjects
- Humans, Communication, Decision Making, Palliative Care organization & administration, Pediatrics organization & administration
- Abstract
Objective: To summarize and analyze the impact of specialized pediatric palliative care (SPPC) programs on communication and decision-making for children with life-threatening conditions., Methods: Our search strategy covered MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase through September 2018., Results: We reviewed 13 studies analyzing the impact of SPPC programs on communication and decision-making using a wide range of outcome indicators. Study quality was poor in 58% of included papers. SPPC programs improved communication and decision-making between families and healthcare professionals (HCPs), within and between families, and among HCPs., Conclusion: SPPC programs generally support and improve communication and decision-making for children with life-threatening conditions, their families and associated HCPs. Families referred to an SPPC program had more discussions with HCPs on a broad variety of topics. However, data on communication with children, siblings, and other family members was scarce and of poor quality., Practice Implications: More research on SPPC program efficacy is needed from the perspective of the ill child, as well as about barriers to end-of-life discussions and the specific aspects of SPPC programs responsible for improving outcomes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF