The First Step to Initiate Pediatric Palliative Care: Identify Patient Needs and Cooperation of Medical Staff.

Su Hyun Bae,Yeo Hyang Kim

doi:10.3390/healthcare10010127

Abstract

Few Korean hospitals had experience in pediatric palliative care. Since the beginning of the national palliative care project, interest in pediatric palliative care has gradually increased, but the establishment of professional palliative care is still inadequate due to a lack of indicators. This study aimed to find considerations in the process of initiating palliative care services. The general and clinical characteristics of 181 patients aged less than 24 years who were registered at the pediatric palliative care center from January 2019 to August 2021 were evaluated. Life-limiting condition group 1 had the largest number of patients. The primary need for palliative care was psychological and emotional support, followed by information sharing and help in communication with the medical staff in decision-making processes. Seventy-two patients were technologically dependent, with one to four technical supports for each patient. The registration of patients with cancer increased with time, and the time from disease diagnosis to consultation for pediatric palliative care service was significantly reduced. In conclusion, before starting pediatric palliative care, it is necessary to understand the needs of patients and their families and to cooperate with medical staff.

Highlights

Advances in medical technology have increased the survival rate of pediatric and adolescent patients affected by life-threatening diseases or life-limiting conditions (LLC) [1].due to complex disabilities, instead of achieving complete recovery, many patients with these diseases depend on medical devices or require intensive medical care [2,3].In addition, patients with such diseases experience physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distress due to long-term intensive care
Eighty patients were diagnosed before the pediatric palliative care service began in January 2019, and 101 patients were diagnosed after that
This study showed that Korea’s pediatric palliative care service is still in its developing stages, the understanding of the characteristics of pediatric diseases that need palliative care and the medical staff’s perception that palliative care may be considered alongside treatment is rapidly advancing

Summary

Introduction

Advances in medical technology have increased the survival rate of pediatric and adolescent patients affected by life-threatening diseases or life-limiting conditions (LLC) [1].due to complex disabilities, instead of achieving complete recovery, many patients with these diseases depend on medical devices or require intensive medical care [2,3].In addition, patients with such diseases experience physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distress due to long-term intensive care. Advances in medical technology have increased the survival rate of pediatric and adolescent patients affected by life-threatening diseases or life-limiting conditions (LLC) [1]. Due to complex disabilities, instead of achieving complete recovery, many patients with these diseases depend on medical devices or require intensive medical care [2,3]. Patients with such diseases experience physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distress due to long-term intensive care. Despite the increasing survival rate, the quality of life of patients and their families is significantly reduced. The United States and European countries have established and provided palliative care services on a national scale to address this issue [4,5]. South Korea has planned a palliative care system for children and adolescents, and in July 2018, two children’s hospitals in Seoul, South

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