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Davis JAM, Bass AK. Therapeutic Communication With Families of Pediatric Patients. AACN Adv Crit Care 2025; 36:71-78. [PMID: 39999325 DOI: 10.4037/aacnacc2025346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2025]
Affiliation(s)
- Jo Ann M Davis
- Jo Ann M. Davis is Single Ventricle Team Nurse Practitioner, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Dr, Columbus, OH 43205
| | - Alice K Bass
- Alice K. Bass is Nursing Professional Practice Specialist, Center for Nursing Excellence, and Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Illness Management (AIM) Team, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
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Benedetti F, Verzeletti V, Papa S, Giacomelli L, Agosto C. "I Wish No Child Died Like This": Analyzing Responses from Parents of Babies Who Died of Complex Congenital Heart Disease in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2025; 12:209. [PMID: 40003311 PMCID: PMC11854154 DOI: 10.3390/children12020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2025] [Revised: 02/05/2025] [Accepted: 02/08/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The death of a child due to complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) in pediatric intensive care units profoundly affects families, often resulting in lasting grief and emotional distress. Despite advancements in pediatric palliative care (PPC), significant gaps persist in communication and end-of-life (EoL) planning. This study explores the experiences and perceptions of bereaved parents to identify areas for improvement in PPC delivery. METHODS A qualitative phenomenological design was used to analyze the lived experiences of 18 bereaved parents whose children died from CCHD at a tertiary cardiac center. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted, incorporating five open-ended questions. Data were analyzed inductively using Colaizzi's method to identify recurring themes and subthemes. RESULTS Four key thematic areas emerged: communication issues, the parental role, child care, and bereavement support. Parents highlighted inconsistent communication, lack of preparedness for EoL decisions, and emotional isolation as major challenges. Positive experiences often involved compassionate healthcare providers and structured psychological support. A significant proportion of parents identified family support and faith as key coping mechanisms, while others expressed dissatisfaction with post-mortem follow-up and the absence of long-term bereavement care. CONCLUSIONS Bereaved parents' experiences underscore the need for improved communication strategies, greater parental involvement in care, and enhanced bereavement support. Integrating structured decision-making pathways early in the care trajectory may help mitigate parental distress and improve the quality of EoL experiences for children with CCHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Benedetti
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (F.B.); (C.A.)
| | | | | | | | - Caterina Agosto
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (F.B.); (C.A.)
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Salins N, Rao AP, Dhyani VS, Prasad A, Mathew M, Damani A, Rao K, Nair S, Shanbhag V, Rao S, Iyer S, Gursahani R, Mani RK, Simha S. Palliative and end-of-life care practices for critically ill patients and their families in a peri-intensive care setting: A protocol for an umbrella review. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:1418-1425. [PMID: 38420705 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951524000130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This umbrella review will summarize palliative and end-of-life care practices in peri-intensive care settings by reviewing systematic reviews in intensive care unit (ICU) settings. Evidence suggests that integrating palliative care into ICU management, initiating conversations about care goals, and providing psychological and emotional support can significantly enhance patient and family outcomes. METHODS The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for umbrella reviews will be followed. The search will be carried out from inception until 30 September 2023 in the following databases: Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete, Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Two reviewers will independently conduct screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, and to resolve conflicts, adding a third reviewer will facilitate the consensus-building process. The quality assessment will be carried out using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. The review findings will be reported per the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews statement. RESULTS This umbrella review seeks to inform future research and practice in critical care medicine, helping to ensure that end-of-life care interventions are optimized to meet the needs of critically ill patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Salins
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Arathi P Rao
- Department of Health Policy, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Vijay Shree Dhyani
- Evidence Synthesis Specialist, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashmitha Prasad
- Department of Pallitaive Medicine, Karunashraya Bangalore Hospice Trust, Bangalore, India
| | - Mebin Mathew
- Department of Pallitaive Medicine, Karunashraya Bangalore Hospice Trust, Bangalore, India
| | - Anuja Damani
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Krithika Rao
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Shreya Nair
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Vishal Shanbhag
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Shwethapriya Rao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Shivakumar Iyer
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College, Pune, India
| | - Roop Gursahani
- Department of Neurology, P D Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai, India
| | - R K Mani
- Department of Critical care, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, Ghaziabad, India
| | - Srinagesh Simha
- Department of Pallitaive Medicine, Karunashraya Bangalore Hospice Trust, Bangalore, India
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