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Providing pediatric palliative care: PACT in action
Janet Duncan1, Emily Spengler, Joanne Wolfe
1Pediatric Advanced Care Team, DFCI and Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, and Weill Cornell Medical School, New York, NY, USA. janet.duncan@childrens.harvard.edu
MCN. the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
|August 31, 2007
Summary
High-quality pediatric palliative care is essential for children with life-threatening conditions. This interdisciplinary team fosters a balance between hope for cure and hope for comfort, dignity, and integrity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Palliative Care
- Bioethics
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Numerous position statements advocate for high-quality pediatric palliative care.
- Barriers to excellent care for children with life-threatening conditions persist.
- The Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) is an interdisciplinary consultation service.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the journey of establishing an interdisciplinary pediatric palliative care service.
- To highlight the integration of palliative care within institutions focused on cure and innovation.
- To promote a balance between curative treatment and holistic care for children and families.
Main Methods:
- The article details the establishment and growth of the Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) since 1997.
- It draws on formal study and extensive clinical experience.
- The approach involves interdisciplinary collaboration within two major medical institutions.
Main Results:
- The PACT has fostered increased acceptance of balancing disease-directed treatment with the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients and families.
- This has led to improved care models for children facing life-threatening conditions.
- The team actively works to balance hope for cure with hope for comfort, dignity, and integrity.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric palliative care is a crucial component of comprehensive care for children with serious illnesses.
- Interdisciplinary teams can successfully integrate palliative care into institutions prioritizing curative treatments.
- Balancing hope for cure with hope for comfort and dignity is vital for patients and families.
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