Pediatric palliative care provision around the world: A systematic review

Abstract

Pediatric palliative care is recommended by many organizations. Yet, there is no information available on the progress that has been made in providing this care or the gaps that still exist in provision around the world. We conducted a systematic review to address this gap in knowledge. The systematic review identified 117 peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed resources. Based on this information, each country was assigned a level of provision; 65.6% of countries had no known activities, 18.8% had capacity building activities, 9.9% had localized provision, and 5.7% had provision that was reaching mainstream providers. Understanding the geographic distribution in the level of provision is crucial for policy makers and funders.

Specialized Pediatric Palliative Home Care: A Prospective Evaluation

“…5,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Our data also support the notion that appropriate PPHC provided by a specialized team is able to alleviate caregivers' psychological distress and burden. 5,[25][26][27][28] Knapp and colleagues 29 analyzed the status of PPC provision around the world, emphasizing the importance of future advancement in this field. But since the majority of existing studies have taken place after the death of a child, little data are available on the caregivers' needs and experiences with PPHC during the child's illness to date.…”

Exploring the Perceived Met and Unmet Need of Life-Limited Children, Young People and Families

“…In 2011, a systematic review of children's palliative care worldwide found that 65% of countries had no known children's palliative care. However, 18% had building activities, 9% were able to cite examples of local provision but only 5% had existing children's palliative care (Knapp et al, 2011). Therefore, the provision of high quality palliative care for children and young people remains a global concern (Downing, Marston, & Boucher, 2010).…”

“…Some individual service-providers have undertaken internal evaluations and, although findings may be insightful for the organisations concerned, in general, there is no robust evidence on which to base care in the community (Knapp & Contro, 2009). Never-the-less much of the literature focuses on the care of children and young people with palliative care needs and cancers (Huijer, Sagherian, & Tamin, 2013;Knapp et al, 2011).…”

The first experience of mobile pediatric palliative team in Ukraine

“…Information and education on palliative medical care, achieving universal coverage of children needing palliative care, taking measures to improve the quality and safety of palliative care based on the needs of local communities [18].…”