Physician Perceptions of Palliative Care for Children With Cancer in Latin America

Abstract

This survey study of physicians in Latin America who care for children with cancer investigates their perceptions about and comfort with pediatric palliative care and how their perceptions align with World Health Organization guidance.

Communication of Early Integration of Palliative Care for Children With Cancer in Latin America: The Care as a Vessel Metaphor

“…The Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment study evaluated physicians' perceptions about PPC integration within cancer care in Eurasia revealing that a lack of physician education about the purpose of PPC and perceptions of family resistance are significant barriers to integration. [19][20][21] Similar findings have been seen across LMICs, where both medical and lay individuals often perceive PPC as synonymous to end-of-life care. 2,18 In Latin America (LA), specifically, PPC integration within pediatric cancer care remains challenging.…”

“…Findings from the Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment survey in LA represented the experiences of 874 physicians who care for children with cancer across 17 countries, largely comprising general pediatricians pediatric oncologists, and intensivists; this study demonstrated that most physicians who care for children with cancer had no formal PPC training, and more than a third had no access to PPC experts for consultation. 21 Perceptions of the purpose and role of PPC in LA are variable, ranging from coordination of a pain clinic to comprehensive end-of-life care. 22 Although all countries in LA have national cancer programs and most have laws regulating cancer care, fewer have PPC programs affiliated with cancer hospitals, and access to PPC services is often delayed by deficiencies in personnel and resources.…”

Death-coping self-efficacy and its influencing factors among Chinese nurses: A cross-sectional study

“…Lien et al [ 16 ] concluded that dying patients can feel care and satisfaction from the patience, care and comfort of nurses. Hospital clinical nurses’ nursing ability and attitude to care for terminally-ill patients directly affect the nursing quality of terminally-ill patients [ 17 ]. However, studies have shown that Chinese nurses have low levels of attitudes and cognitions towards death [ 2 ].…”

Achieving Global Pediatric Palliative Care Equity—What We Have Yet to Learn

“…McNeil and colleagues 4 reported their efforts to understand physician-associated barriers to pediatric palliative care integration in a cross-sectional survey study of physicians in 17 Latin American countries that assessed palliative care perceptions and comfort in providing primary palliative care. 4 Of note, the authors systematically approached adaptation and translation of their previously used Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment (ADAPT) survey for physicians in Latin America. Their efforts to translate, iteratively review, back-translate, and pilot the survey before broad dissemination helped enhance the face validity and cultural sensitivity of their instrument.…”

“…The findings of McNeil and colleagues 4 suggest that implementing primary pediatric palliative care education in Latin America may fill a critical gap and be associated with alleviating child and family suffering in the context of serious illness. As the how, who, and what of global pediatric palliative care education are considered in pediatric palliative care, we can use this opportunity to center equity.…”