Pediatric blood & cancer
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Feb 2020
Helping parents prepare for their child's end of life: A retrospective survey of cancer-bereaved parents.
Most parents vividly recall the weeks, days, and moments preceding their child's death for years to come. Dissatisfaction with communication about their child's condition and lack of guidance can contribute to stress prior to a child's death. Based on findings from a study assessing the degree of preparation bereaved parents received and our collective clinical experience, the authors provide suggestions on end-of-life communication and guidance for parents. ⋯ Through quantitative and open-ended responses, this study identified specific medical and emotional issues about which parents wanted greater preparation. Future research to evaluate guidance strategies to reduce parental suffering prior to the child's death is needed.