Related Experiment Videos

Paediatric palliative medicine: a unique challenge

Richard D W Hain1

  • 1Department of Child Health, University of Wales College of Medicine, Llandough Hospital Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, UK. hainrd@cardiff.ac.uk

Pediatric Rehabilitation
|June 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric palliative medicine offers expert symptom control for children with serious illnesses. This field addresses physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs for improved quality of life.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Specialties
  • Palliative Care
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Palliative medicine expertise has been available for adults with life-threatening conditions for over 30 years.
  • Access to specialized pediatric palliative medicine has lagged significantly behind adult services.
  • This disparity highlights a critical need for advanced pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce the principles and scope of pediatric palliative medicine.
  • To emphasize the importance of a multi-dimensional approach in managing pediatric complex conditions.
  • To advocate for the expansion of specialized care for children facing serious illnesses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizes a robust and rational approach to symptom management.
  • Integrates a thorough understanding of pathophysiology and therapeutics.
  • Employs a multi-dimensional framework to address holistic patient needs.

Main Results:

  • Paediatric palliative medicine provides expert symptom control.
  • The approach is grounded in scientific understanding of disease and treatment.
  • It moves beyond purely physical symptom management.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric palliative medicine is essential for improving the quality of life for children with serious illnesses.
  • A multi-dimensional approach is crucial, addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual concerns.
  • The field requires continued development and accessibility for pediatric patients.

Related Concept Videos

Continuing Care01:25

Continuing Care

Continuing care describes the variety of health, personal, and social services provided over a prolonged period. The need for continuing care is increasing because people are living longer. Many people do not have families or others to care for them. Continuing care is mainly for patients who are disabled, functionally dependent, or suffering from a terminal disease. It is available within institutional settings or in homes. Examples include nursing centers or facilities, assisted living,...
Ethical Dilemmas I01:17

Ethical Dilemmas I

Ethical dilemmas in nursing are of utmost importance, as they often arise from the tension between adhering to core ethical principles and the practical realities of healthcare delivery. These dilemmas require nurses to navigate complex situations where competing ethical considerations pull them in different directions.
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
Ethical Issues01:27

Ethical Issues

Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Nursing Ethical Principles II01:27

Nursing Ethical Principles II

Ethical principles are essential in guiding nurses to fulfill their responsibilities, focusing on the quality of nursing care and decision-making. These principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, shape the ethical framework within healthcare settings.
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...
Ethical Dilemmas II01:30

Ethical Dilemmas II

Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:
Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model01:15

Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model

The case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that involves healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, working collaboratively to address the various needs of patients. Each healthcare professional brings unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...