Pediatric Oncology Hospice: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Pediatric Oncology
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Pediatric hospice care is an emerging field with limited established definitions and guidelines.
• Lack of standardized principles impacts end-of-life care quality for children globally.
• Significant uncertainties and unexplored areas exist in pediatric oncology hospice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and structure existing literature on pediatric oncology hospice.
• To identify foundational elements, challenges, and knowledge gaps in the field.
• To create a framework for future research and practice in pediatric hospice.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of the PubMed database.
• Systematic extraction and compilation of available data on pediatric oncology hospice.
• Development of a structured framework with nine major categories.

Main Results:

• A structured framework encompassing ideology, population, family roles, psychosocial aspects, finances, service locations, specialties, regulations, and quality improvement.
• Identification of sparse data and significant gaps in the current literature.
• Compilation of foundational elements and complications in pediatric hospice care.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework provides a scientifically reliable foundation for pediatric oncology hospice.
• Addressing identified gaps is crucial for improving end-of-life experiences for children.
• Further research and standardized guidelines are needed to advance the field.