Franca Benini1, Chiara Cauzzo1, Sabrina Congedi1, Liviana Da Dalt2, Paola Cogo3, Lilia Biscaglia4, Luca Giacomelli5. 1. Cure Palliative Pediatriche, Terapia del Dolore, Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy. 2. Dipartimento di Pediatria di Urgenza, Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy. 3. Dipartimento di Medicina, Sezione di Pediatria, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy. 4. Cooperazione Odontoiatrica Internazionale (COI NGO), Turin, Italy. 5. Polistudium SRL, Milan, Italy - Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostica Integrata, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: This survey investigated the availability of training programs in pediatric palliative care (PPC) for Italian postgraduates specializing in pediatric medicine. METHODS: Two questionnaires were developed: (i) a questionnaire addressed to the Directors of Italian postgraduate pediatric medicine programs (n = 37); and (ii) a survey to the postgraduate students in pediatric medicine at the University Hospitals of Padua and Udine (n = 127). RESULTS: 14 directors participated (response rate: 37.8%). In 85.7% of cases (n = 12), lectures on PPC were offered, for a supposed maximum of 90 minutes/year. 116 students responded (response rate: 91%): they stated that, approximately 40 min/year of training on PPC was provided. In total, 37% of responders stated they attended a PPC Service during their training. The majority of responders (68.1%, n = 79) did not feel ready to care for a pediatric patient with life-limiting disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although PPC is well-recognized as part of a pediatrician's training, it receives poor attention.
AIM: This survey investigated the availability of training programs in pediatric palliative care (PPC) for Italian postgraduates specializing in pediatric medicine. METHODS: Two questionnaires were developed: (i) a questionnaire addressed to the Directors of Italian postgraduate pediatric medicine programs (n = 37); and (ii) a survey to the postgraduate students in pediatric medicine at the University Hospitals of Padua and Udine (n = 127). RESULTS: 14 directors participated (response rate: 37.8%). In 85.7% of cases (n = 12), lectures on PPC were offered, for a supposed maximum of 90 minutes/year. 116 students responded (response rate: 91%): they stated that, approximately 40 min/year of training on PPC was provided. In total, 37% of responders stated they attended a PPC Service during their training. The majority of responders (68.1%, n = 79) did not feel ready to care for a pediatric patient with life-limiting disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although PPC is well-recognized as part of a pediatrician's training, it receives poor attention.