Paediatric palliative care in practice: Perspectives between acute and long-term healthcare teams

To explore and compare acute and long-term care professionals' perspectives about paediatric palliative care.

Focus group interviews were conducted in 2016-2017 with professionals from acute (Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit) and long-term care (Complex Care Service, Palliative Care) teams.

Fifty-eight participants were enrolled. Palliative care definitions were similar throughout groups: to provide active care early in the illness, focusing on the child as a whole and supporting families. Each group perceived a different role in the patient's illness trajectory, reflecting their own culture of care. They demonstrated important differences in their approach to palliative care. Disagreements regarding when or how to discuss goals of care were expressed. Acute care professionals reported discomfort when having to introduce these discussions for the first time, while long-term care professionals perceived negative judgements about their patients' quality of life by acute care teams during health events. Personalised care, communication with families and continuity of care were thought to be key elements to improve care.

Paediatric palliative care is well recognised throughout specialties, yet continuity of care is challenged by groups' roles and interventions in a patient's illness. A reflective and mutual clinical approach is needed to improve quality of care and professionals' satisfaction.