International perspectives on pediatric palliative care: Mexico

Abstract

The safe keeping of children and families that require Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC), presents a challenge to the healthcare professionals and systems, particularly in countries like Mexico. This is due to social inequities, the cultural diversity, the geo-regional position that determine specific social dynamics and nowadays the huge immigration issues that we are facing.The combination of all these factors, requires a vast knowledge from PPC providers about the necessary tools to properly provide the support needed in the most effective and efficient way, based on compassion. Knowing how to accurately understand the needs of children and their families requiring PPC and how to best assist them during the decision-making process is extremely important.At the same time, all PPC team members require expertise in addressing pediatric pathophysiology and bioethical issues that apply to diverse and heterogeneous age groups.