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Pediatric palliative care: beyond the end of life

Faith Crozier1, Lauren E Hancock

  • 1University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Pediatric Nursing
|September 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric palliative care enhances quality of life for children with chronic illnesses by focusing on symptom management. This specialty complements curative treatments and differs from hospice care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Palliative Care Medicine

Background:

  • Palliative care is an emerging nursing specialty.
  • Advances in healthcare allow children to live longer with chronic and life-threatening diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the growing role of palliative care in pediatrics.
  • To emphasize the focus on quality of life and symptom management for pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • This abstract does not detail specific methods as it is a conceptual overview.
  • It discusses the principles and application of palliative care in a pediatric context.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric palliative care addresses the needs of children living longer with serious illnesses.
  • It offers services focused on enhancing quality of life and managing symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Palliative care is crucial for improving the well-being of children with chronic conditions.
  • It can be integrated alongside curative therapies and is distinct from hospice care.

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