Author:
Wager Julia,Kubek Larissa Alice,Brenner Maria,Calmanti Sara,Doyle Carmel,Lövgren Malin,Kreicbergs Ulrika,Kremer Leontien,Le Moine Philippe,Robert Guillaume,Schuiling-Otten Meggi,Schröder-Bäck Peter,Verhagen Eduard,Zernikow Boris
Abstract
Abstract
Background
For children with life-limiting conditions home care is a key component of pediatric palliative care. However, poor information is available on service coverage and in particular on country-specific pediatric palliative home care characteristics. The aim of the study was therefore to describe the association between pediatric palliative care coverage and national activities and obtain detailed information on the pediatric palliative home care structure in different European countries.
Methods
Online survey with in-country experts from N = 33 European countries.
Results
Pediatric palliative home care (65.6%) represented the most pediatric palliative care units (15.6%) and the least common services. National documents constituted the most widespread national pediatric palliative care activity (59.4%) and were associated with available services. Pediatric palliative home care could be mostly accessed as a service free of charge to families (95.2%) from the time of a child's diagnosis (85.7%). In most countries, oncological and non-oncological patients were cared for in pediatric palliative home care. Only a minority of home care teams covered home-ventilated children. Pediatric palliative home care usually comprised medical care (81.0%), care coordination (71.4%), nursing care (75.0%) and social support (57.1%). Most countries had at least two professional groups working in home care teams (81.0%), mostly physicians and nurses. In many countries, pediatric palliative home care was not available in all regions and did not offer a 24 h-outreach service.
Conclusions
Pediatric palliative care provision in Europe is heterogeneous. Further work on country-specific structures is needed.
Funder
Private Universität Witten/Herdecke gGmbH
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Cited by
3 articles.
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