Abstract
It is estimated that 1,960 pediatric patients will die of cancer in the United States in 2014 and approximately 15,780 new diagnoses will be made (Ward, DeSantis, Robbins, Kohler, & Jamal, 2014, p. 75). Parents report end-of-life decisions to be the most difficult treatment-related decisions they face and clinicians (nurses, nursing assistants, nurse practitioners, physicians, and specialty healthcare personnel) perceive the assistance they can offer with these decisions to be inadequate (Hinds et al., 2005, p. 9146). Research is being done regarding: the end-of-life decision-making process; the corresponding satisfaction outcomes for the family and clinicians; and the cognitive level of understanding and preferences of the terminal child. The end-of-life decision making process is relevant to nursing because nurses work with the patients and their families to develop the daily plan of care and act as advocates when collaborating with members of the healthcare team. Pediatric oncology nurses often become close to their patients and families and would logically be the most available resource to consult when making these end-of-life decisions. Therefore, a better understanding of how these decisions are made and the scope of impact to the patient, family, and the healthcare team allows the nurse to implement interventions to attain a higher level of care and satisfaction.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Lead Author Affiliation
Baylor University, Dallas, Texas, USA
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
End of Life, Pediatric, Oncology
Recommended Citation
Nail-Bergin, Hope A., "Benefits to understanding end of life decision making in pediatric oncology" (2024). Leadership. 10.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/leadership/2014/posters/10
Conference Name
Leadership Summit 2014
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2014
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Benefits to understanding end of life decision making in pediatric oncology
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
It is estimated that 1,960 pediatric patients will die of cancer in the United States in 2014 and approximately 15,780 new diagnoses will be made (Ward, DeSantis, Robbins, Kohler, & Jamal, 2014, p. 75). Parents report end-of-life decisions to be the most difficult treatment-related decisions they face and clinicians (nurses, nursing assistants, nurse practitioners, physicians, and specialty healthcare personnel) perceive the assistance they can offer with these decisions to be inadequate (Hinds et al., 2005, p. 9146). Research is being done regarding: the end-of-life decision-making process; the corresponding satisfaction outcomes for the family and clinicians; and the cognitive level of understanding and preferences of the terminal child. The end-of-life decision making process is relevant to nursing because nurses work with the patients and their families to develop the daily plan of care and act as advocates when collaborating with members of the healthcare team. Pediatric oncology nurses often become close to their patients and families and would logically be the most available resource to consult when making these end-of-life decisions. Therefore, a better understanding of how these decisions are made and the scope of impact to the patient, family, and the healthcare team allows the nurse to implement interventions to attain a higher level of care and satisfaction.