The concept of child-centred care is gaining traction in pediatric palliative settings, especially for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Recent research highlights the importance of focusing on children's perspectives to enhance care quality and outcomes. This blog explores key findings from a qualitative interview study and offers actionable insights for practitioners seeking to improve their skills and the care they provide.
The Importance of Child-Centred Care
Child-centred care places the child at the heart of healthcare decisions, ensuring that their needs and preferences guide the care process. This approach acknowledges the child's role as an active participant in their healthcare journey, rather than a passive recipient. It emphasizes the importance of considering the child's social, emotional, and spiritual needs alongside their medical requirements.
Key Findings from Recent Research
The study titled "Achieving child-centred care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions—a qualitative interview study" provides valuable insights into the priorities and concerns of children with these conditions. Conducted across multiple hospitals and hospices in the UK, this research involved interviews with 106 participants, including children, parents, siblings, healthcare professionals, and commissioners.
- Pursuing Normality: Children expressed a strong desire to engage in typical childhood activities like attending school and playing with friends. Practitioners should strive to minimize disruptions to these activities by effectively managing symptoms such as pain and seizures.
- Holistic Approach: A comprehensive approach that addresses physical, emotional, social, practical, and spiritual needs is crucial. This holistic view supports children's pursuit of normality while ensuring their overall well-being.
- Family Support: Parents often bear significant caregiving burdens. Providing practical support and respite care can help families maintain a sense of normalcy and focus on their child's needs.
- Communication: Open communication about the child's condition is essential. Children as young as five expressed a desire to be informed about their health status, highlighting the need for age-appropriate discussions.
Practical Steps for Practitioners
Practitioners can enhance their skills by incorporating these findings into their practice:
- Engage Children in Decision-Making: Encourage children to participate in discussions about their care plans. Use creative methods like drawing or play to facilitate communication with younger children.
- Coordinate Care Services: Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless coordination of services that address all aspects of a child's life.
- Provide Family-Centric Support: Recognize the family's role in caregiving and offer resources that ease their burden. This includes providing access to psychological support and respite services.
- Pursue Continuous Education: Stay informed about the latest research and best practices in pediatric palliative care through conferences, webinars, and publications.
The implementation of child-centred care requires a commitment to understanding each child's unique needs and preferences. By focusing on holistic approaches and effective communication, practitioners can significantly enhance the quality of life for children with life-limiting conditions.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Achieving child-centred care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions—a qualitative interview study.
