Rhiannon B van Loenhout1,2,3, Ivana M M van der Geest2,4, Astrid M Vrakking3, Agnes van der Heide3, Rob Pieters4, Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink4. 1. 1 Department of Radiology, Medical Center Haaglanden , The Hague, The Netherlands . 2. 2 Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital , Rotterdam, The Netherlands . 3. 3 Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands . 4. 4 Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology , Utrecht, The Netherlands .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: End-of-life decisions (ELDs) have been investigated in several care settings, but rarely in pediatric oncology. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to characterize the practice of end-of-life decision making in a Dutch academic medical center and to explore pediatric oncologists' perspectives on decision making. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2010, in a specified period of 2 years, 57 children died of cancer. The attending pediatric oncologists of 48 deceased children were eligible for this study. They were requested to complete a retrospective questionnaire on characteristics of ELDs that may have preceded a child's death. ELDs were defined as decisions concerning administering or forgoing treatment that may unintentionally or intentionally hasten death. RESULTS: In 31 of 48 cases (65%) one or more ELDs were made. In 20 of 31 cases potentially life-prolonging treatments were discontinued or withheld, and in 22 of 31 cases drugs were administered to alleviate pain or other symptoms in potentially life-shortening dosages. Frequently mentioned considerations for making ELDs were no prospects of improvement (n=21;68%) and unbearable suffering without a curative perspective (n=13;42%). ELDs were discussed with parents in all cases, and with the child in 9 of 31 cases. After the child's death, the pediatric oncologist met the parents in all ELD cases and in 11 of 17 non-ELD cases. Pediatric oncologists were satisfied with care around the child's death in 90% of the ELD cases versus 59% of the non-ELD cases. CONCLUSIONS: In two-thirds of cases, ELDs preceded the death of a child with cancer. This is the first study providing insights into the characteristics of ELDs from a pediatric oncologist's point of view.
BACKGROUND: End-of-life decisions (ELDs) have been investigated in several care settings, but rarely in pediatric oncology. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to characterize the practice of end-of-life decision making in a Dutch academic medical center and to explore pediatric oncologists' perspectives on decision making. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2010, in a specified period of 2 years, 57 children died of cancer. The attending pediatric oncologists of 48 deceased children were eligible for this study. They were requested to complete a retrospective questionnaire on characteristics of ELDs that may have preceded a child's death. ELDs were defined as decisions concerning administering or forgoing treatment that may unintentionally or intentionally hasten death. RESULTS: In 31 of 48 cases (65%) one or more ELDs were made. In 20 of 31 cases potentially life-prolonging treatments were discontinued or withheld, and in 22 of 31 cases drugs were administered to alleviate pain or other symptoms in potentially life-shortening dosages. Frequently mentioned considerations for making ELDs were no prospects of improvement (n=21;68%) and unbearable suffering without a curative perspective (n=13;42%). ELDs were discussed with parents in all cases, and with the child in 9 of 31 cases. After the child's death, the pediatric oncologist met the parents in all ELD cases and in 11 of 17 non-ELD cases. Pediatric oncologists were satisfied with care around the child's death in 90% of the ELD cases versus 59% of the non-ELD cases. CONCLUSIONS: In two-thirds of cases, ELDs preceded the death of a child with cancer. This is the first study providing insights into the characteristics of ELDs from a pediatric oncologist's point of view.
Authors: Elizabeth G Broden; Allison Werner-Lin; Martha A Q Curley; Pamela S Hinds Journal: Intensive Crit Care Nurs Date: 2022-02-24 Impact factor: 4.235
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