Research in pediatric palliative care: closing the gap between what is and is not known

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Pediatric Medicine
• Healthcare Research

Background:

• Pediatric palliative care addresses physical and psychosocial needs of children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
• Care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams across various settings.
• Despite 30 years of research in palliative care, significant knowledge gaps exist specifically within the pediatric domain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the provision and need for pediatric palliative care.
• To identify existing research and highlight areas requiring further investigation.
• To initiate a discussion and inform research efforts in pediatric palliative care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on pediatric palliative care.
• Identification of established knowledge and areas of uncertainty.
• Framework for a series of articles focusing on specific pediatric palliative care topics.

Main Results:

• A foundational understanding of pediatric palliative care provision and needs is established.
• Key research gaps concerning pediatric palliative care have been identified.
• This article serves as an introduction to a series exploring specific aspects of pediatric palliative care.

Conclusions:

• Further research is crucial to advance the field of pediatric palliative care.
• Understanding the knowns and unknowns is essential for improving care delivery and support for children and families.
• This series aims to stimulate dialogue and guide future research in pediatric palliative care.