Palliative Care Phase Research Articles

The needs of parents of pediatric oncology patients during the palliative care phase.

The death of a child is considered one of the greatest stresses a parent can experience. It has been suggested that death from childhood malignancies is more stressful for parents than death due to other chronic diseases. The purpose of this qualitative study is to identify parents' perceptions of their needs while their child was dying of cancer. Twelve parents of eight children, who died of various types of cancer 1 to 3 years ago, were interviewed by the primary investigator. These children died either in hospital or at home. Interviews were tape recorded, transcribed and analyzed by the investigators. Three needs were identified: (1) The need to have the child recognized as special while retaining as much normality within the child's and family's lives as possible; (2) The need for caring and connectedness with health care professionals; and (3) The need to retain responsibility of parenting their dying child. Findings suggest that parental needs are similar regardless of where the death occurred. Implications for nursing practice and areas for further research were identified.

Family Members’ Perceptions of Palliative Cancer Care: Predictors of Family Functioning and Family Members’ Health

We studied family members' care experiences during the palliative care phase as predictors of family members' health and family functioning during the palliative care phase and three months following the death of the patient. Eighty family members of advanced cancer patients participated in the study at time one (T1) (palliative care phase) and 64 family members completed the data collection protocol at time two (T2) (three months bereavement). Data were also obtained from 36 of the patients within one month of their deaths. Fulfillment theory accounted for 31% of the variance in family care satisfaction and Discrepancy theory accounted for 72% of the variance in family care satisfaction. Discrepancy theory predicted family functioning in the bereavement period (r = -0.33, p < 0.05). Patients' quality of life scores were moderately correlated with family members' health during the palliative care phase (r = -0.38, p < 0.05). Family members' scores on the health index (symptom of stress scale) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than normative scores reported in a study using a healthy population. The strongest predictor of family members' health scores in the bereavement period was their health score at T1 (r = 0.71, p < 0.01). As well, family functioning at T1 was strongly correlated with family functioning at T2.

The needs of parents of pediatric oncology patients during the palliative care phase

The needs of parents of pediatric oncology patients during the palliative care phase