David Clelland1, Danny van Steijn2, Mary Ellen Macdonald3, Stephen Connor4, Carlos Centeno2, David Clark1. 1. School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow, Dumfries, DG1 4ZL, UK. 2. ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, 31008, Spain. 3. Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University and Pediatric Palliative Care Research, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 4. Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, London, WC1X 9JG, UK.
Abstract
Background: The growing interest in tracking the global development of palliative care provision is not matched by research on the development of palliative care services specifically for children. Yet it is estimated that worldwide, 21 million children annually could benefit from the provision of palliative care. We report on a global study of children's palliative care development and offer suggestions for further improvement in design and method. Methods: Primary data on the level of children's palliative care development in 2017 was collected from in-country experts through a specific question in an online questionnaire that sought to measure the overall level of palliative care provision globally. Countries were assigned to one of six categories on the basis of the responses obtained. Conflicting responses from the same country were resolved with reference to a hierarchy of preferred respondents. Results: Our data allowed the categorisation of 113 countries, accounting for 65% of the global population aged under 20. Number of countries (% of global child population) in each category were as follows: 1) no known activity, 21 (4%); 2) capacity-building, 16 (24%); 3a) isolated provision, 55 (30%); 3b) generalized provision, 5 (1%); 4a) preliminary integration into mainstream provision, 14 (8%); 4b) advanced integration, 7 (2%). Conclusions: Children's palliative care at the highest level of provision is available in just 21 countries, accounting for fewer than 10% of the global population aged under 20. It is concentrated in high income settings, whilst the majority of the global need for such care is in low- and middle-income countries. Our study is a useful tool for global advocacy relating to children's palliative care and a stimulus for the creation of improved indicators to measure it at the country level. Copyright:
Background: The growing interest in tracking the global development of palliative care provision is not matched by research on the development of palliative care services specifically for children. Yet it is estimated that worldwide, 21 million children annually could benefit from the provision of palliative care. We report on a global study of children's palliative care development and offer suggestions for further improvement in design and method. Methods: Primary data on the level of children's palliative care development in 2017 was collected from in-country experts through a specific question in an online questionnaire that sought to measure the overall level of palliative care provision globally. Countries were assigned to one of six categories on the basis of the responses obtained. Conflicting responses from the same country were resolved with reference to a hierarchy of preferred respondents. Results: Our data allowed the categorisation of 113 countries, accounting for 65% of the global population aged under 20. Number of countries (% of global child population) in each category were as follows: 1) no known activity, 21 (4%); 2) capacity-building, 16 (24%); 3a) isolated provision, 55 (30%); 3b) generalized provision, 5 (1%); 4a) preliminary integration into mainstream provision, 14 (8%); 4b) advanced integration, 7 (2%). Conclusions: Children's palliative care at the highest level of provision is available in just 21 countries, accounting for fewer than 10% of the global population aged under 20. It is concentrated in high income settings, whilst the majority of the global need for such care is in low- and middle-income countries. Our study is a useful tool for global advocacy relating to children's palliative care and a stimulus for the creation of improved indicators to measure it at the country level. Copyright:
Authors: Catriona R Mayland; Katy A Sunderland; Matthew Cooper; Paul Taylor; Philip A Powell; Lucy Zeigler; Vicki Cox; Constance Gilman; Nicola Turner; Kate Flemming; Lorna K Fraser Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2022-08-01 Impact factor: 5.713
Authors: Julia Wager; Larissa Alice Kubek; Maria Brenner; Sara Calmanti; Carmel Doyle; Malin Lövgren; Ulrika Kreicbergs; Leontien Kremer; Philippe Le Moine; Guillaume Robert; Meggi Schuiling-Otten; Peter Schröder-Bäck; Eduard Verhagen; Boris Zernikow Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2022-10-17 Impact factor: 3.113