GPs experience of caring for children with cancer receiving palliative care at home

Abstract

BackgroundThe study being undertaken builds on earlier work that found general practitioners (GPs) were at times uncertain of their role in paediatric palliative care and questioned whether their involvement had been benefi cial to the child and family. The rarity of childhood cancer makes it diffi cult for GPs to develop or maintain palliative care knowledge and skills yet the GP is perceived by the family as the gatekeeper of care within the community. Aim The study is examining GPs perception of their role in caring for an individual child with cancer receiving palliative care and comparing this with families' perceptions of their GP's roles. Methodology The methodology incorporates tape-recorded semi-structured interviews, thematic framework analysis and Q methodology (QM) to capture the experiences of GPs who have cared for a child with cancer receiving palliative care as

Withdrawal of ventilatory support outside the intensive care unit: guidance for practice

“…Only two families already knew the PPC team and five children were referred from a different hospital. The sense of continuity of care for the family must be maintained, while rapidly coordinating additional services, in the face of the child's potential for acute deterioration 17 18 21 34…”