Essential Package of Palliative Care for Iranian Children with Cancer

Abstract

Background: Despite medical advancements and treatment development, children with cancer experience a wide range of symptoms related to the disease and treatment side effects. Providing palliative care is essential to improve the quality of life for both the child and the family. Given limited available resources, cost-effective service packages can address this need. Objectives: This study aimed to develop an essential palliative care package for children with cancer in Iran. Methods: The study was under Health System Research and employed an exploratory mixed method design in three phases. The initial stage involved two sub-studies including a review of literature and a qualitative study. In the subsequent phases, the package draft was compiled and validated using the Delphi technique with input from 12 experts. Results: The essential palliative care package for children with cancer comprised two main components: INPUT, including dimensions related to medicine, human resources, equipment, and service delivery setting. INTERVENTION, encompasses physical, psychological, social, spiritual symptom management, and growth and development. Conclusions: Customized for Iran's social and cultural context, this essential service package provides safe, efficient, convenient, and affordable care. Physicians and nurses with primary training can integrate it into primary care including home care, emphasizing the importance of palliative care.