Exploring the Supportive Care Model as a Framework for Pediatric Palliative Care

Abstract

v The fit between the Supportive Care Model and existing research on parent perspectives about pediatric palliative care was explored following a review of the literature. An electronic search of Medline and CINAHL from 2004 to January 2009 resulted in 49 articles on 38 studies that sought parent perspectives on care provided by health professionals during palliation, end of life, and/or bereavement. Results were synthesized according to the dimensions of the Supportive Care Model. The model fit well with the research, indicating that the highest quality pediatric palliative care occurred when there was a fundamental valuing of the child and family, when individual human connections were made and continued throughout and following illness and death, when families felt empowered, when some aspects of care were performed for families, when families were supported in their search for meaning in their situation, and when the integrity of each individual and the family as a whole was preserved. The research also suggests that careful assessment of individual family preferences within each dimension is crucial. The model is proposed as a helpful guide for clinical practice with dying children and their families. K E Y W O R D S children end of life palliative care parents Supportive Care Model

Siblings Caring for and about Pediatric Palliative Care Patients

“…So that they're not left out, then they probably.deal with it better. (Bereaved sister 3) A few mentioned anger at being 'left in the dark' or expressed confusion and fear of siblngs' symptoms without having them explained. One also mentioned that being misled at the end of her sibling's life made it harder for her to cope later.…”

“…The family-centered approach of PPC involves maintaining the integrity of each individual and the family as a whole. 3,4 Understanding the needs of all family members, 5 including the siblings of youth with life-limiting illnesses, has been advocated. However, research into PPC in New Zealand (NZ) is limited.…”

Evaluation of the currency of the Davies and Oberle (1990) model of supportive care in specialist and specialised palliative care settings in England

“…The Davies and Oberle () model of supportive care [the shaded region is adapted from Davies and Oberle () and Widger et al . ()]. The encompassing dimensions ‘Influencing other professionals’ and ‘Displaying expertise’ are proposed revisions arising from findings in the current study, described later.…”

“…), Sweden (Andershed & Ternestedt ) and the UK (National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services, NCHSPCS , Widger et al . ). Elements, at least, are also evident within the nursing role in palliative care provided by district nurses (Walshe & Luker ), intensive care nurses (Vandall‐Walker et al .…”

“…) and paediatric nurses (Widger et al . ). It also contributes internationally to descriptions of palliative care in nurse education (International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care , Greenstreet , Becker , Baldwin ).…”