Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of the Barriers and Facilitators to Pediatric Pain Management in the Community at End-of-Life: A Qualitative Interview Study

Abstract

ContextsInadequate pain management in community pediatric palliative care is common. Evidence to inform improved pain management in this population is limited. ObjectivesTo explore the barriers and facilitators to pediatric community-based pain management for infants, children and young people at end-of-life as perceived by healthcare professionals. MethodsA qualitative interview study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 29 healthcare professionals; 12 nurses, five GPs, five consultants and registrar doctors, two pharmacists and five support therapists working in primary, secondary or tertiary care in the United Kingdom and involved in community end-of life care of 0 to 18-year-olds. ResultsThe data corpus was analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis and seven themes emerged: parents’ abilities, beliefs and wellbeing; working relationships between families and healthcare professionals, and between healthcare teams; healthcare professionals’ knowledge, education and experience; health services delivery; nature of pain treatment; and pediatric-specific factors. Across themes, the concepts of partnership working between families and healthcare professionals, and within healthcare teams, and sharing expertise were prevalent. ConclusionPartnership working and trust between healthcare professionals and parents, and within healthcare teams, is needed for effective at-home pediatric palliative pain management. Community healthcare professionals require more education from experienced multidisciplinary teams to effectively manage pediatric pain at end-of-life and prevent emergency hospice or hospital admissions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.