BMJ supportive & palliative care
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BMJ Support Palliat Care · Jul 2019
End-of-life communication: a nationwide study of bereaved parents' perceptions.
To investigate bereaved parents' perception of end-of-life communication with healthcare professionals after losing a child due to life-limiting diagnoses. ⋯ Parents request accurate and timely information. However, a substantial number of the parents surveyed reported that healthcare professionals communicated too late about palliative care and end-of-life issues. Even though healthcare professionals strive to communicate effectively with dying children and their parents, barriers were identified that may hinder even the best of intentions. National guidelines addressing communication issues and improved education of healthcare professionals should form part of any future agenda.