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Assessment of need for a children's hospice program.
1University of British Columbia, British Columbia Research Institute for Child and Family Health, Vancouver, Canada.
Death Studies
|April 7, 1996
Summary
Pediatric hospice care, like Canuck Place, offers vital support for children with life-threatening illnesses. Assessing community need is crucial for developing these essential palliative care services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Palliative Care
- Hospice Services
- Child Health Services
Background:
- Established in 1995, Canuck Place is North America's first free-standing pediatric hospice.
- The program offers province-wide community-based care, respite, and palliative services.
- Loss and grief support are integral components of the pediatric hospice model.
Observation:
- The development of pediatric hospice care is predicated on the demonstrated need within a community.
- Assessing this need involved both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
- This approach aimed to build a strong case for establishing a children's hospice program.
Findings:
- Data collection confirmed the necessity for a dedicated pediatric hospice program.
- Both traditional and non-traditional research methods were effective in needs assessment.
- The findings supported the argument for Canuck Place's development and expansion.
Implications:
- This needs assessment methodology can guide the creation of similar programs globally.
- Demonstrating need is a critical first step in establishing pediatric palliative care services.
- The Canuck Place model provides a framework for supporting children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.