Pain management for the child with cancer in end-of-life care: APON position paper

Palliative Care and Pediatrics

This article reviews the unique challenges of pediatric palliative medicine. These challenges originate from the specific epidemiology of pediatric diseases for which palliative care is indicated and the necessity to provide child-focused, family-oriented, relationship-centered medical care. The emphasis of the ultimate aims of pediatric palliative care is to care for the body, mind, and spirit, to enhance quality of life, and to minimize suffering.

End-of-life care for children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To describe the complexities in end-of-life care of children and adolescents dying cancer-related deaths.

DATA SOURCES

Research studies, review articles, and government reports.

CONCLUSION

The complexities in providing competent and compassionate care to the dying child and the family is intense, undeniable, and may in some clinical situations be unavoidable.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

It is important for all those involved with the care at the end of life for a child or adolescent dying a cancer-related death create the framework that will support the provikion of competent and compassionate end-of-life care.