Parental Decision Making for Children With Cancer at the End of Life

Abstract

Parents of pediatric oncology patients are faced with difficult decisions when their child reaches the end of life. For health care providers to provide optimal care, they must understand parents’ perspectives and preferences in end-of-life decision making. Therefore, this article provides a systematic review of the literature on the end-of-life decision making of parents of children with cancer as well as recommendations for practice and future research. Parents participated in surveys, focus groups, participant observation, and interviews to help researchers understand the expectations, hopes, fears, and values that guide their decision making. Common themes were patient–provider communication, extending time, and understanding prognosis.