According to a group of experts and a recent review in The Lancet, more research is needed into pediatric palliative care.The review looked at various challenges facing pediatric palliative care. The first was defining pediatric palliative care along working towards a better understanding of the needs of children receiving such care. Understanding the culture of the patient is a critical part of improving pediatric palliative care according to the review. For example, being honest about an impending death may go against culturally-prescribed roles of parents as protectors in some cultures.
The review also addressed health care provider burnout and lack of smooth integration of pediatric palliative care knowledge into training programs in medicine and nursing.
1. I found a great resource that provides clear information on pediatric palliative care at http://www.getpalliativecare.org
Posted at 11:40AM on Oct 8th 2007 by stacey Anderson