Professional boundary issues in pediatric palliative care

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Pediatric Palliative Care
• Healthcare Professional Dynamics

Background:

• Traditional patient-provider boundaries are challenged in pediatric palliative care.
• The unique dynamics of caring for children with life-limiting illnesses necessitate a re-evaluation of interpersonal boundaries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how interpersonal boundaries differ in pediatric palliative care.
• To identify ethical challenges faced by healthcare providers in maintaining professional boundaries within this specialized field.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to providers on the Journey's Palliative Care Team.
• Retrospective review of survey responses and relevant literature.

Main Results:

• Providers reported unique ethical challenges in maintaining professional boundaries.
• The dynamics of pediatric palliative care influence patient, parent, and healthcare team interactions.

Conclusions:

• Delivering comprehensive, ethically sound palliative care requires understanding and addressing boundary complexities.
• Findings offer insights for future research and best practices in pediatric palliative care.