Monday, November 3, 2003: 10:30 AM-11:45 AM

Invited Session: The Art and Science of Pediatric Palliative Care

Learning Objective #1: Review the philosophy and principles of pediatric palliative care
Learning Objective #2: Summarize the research to date in the field and emphasize directions for future research
Pediatric palliative care is based on a philosophy of care and resultant principles that are similar to those that underpin adult palliative care; however, pediatric palliative care differs from adult care in several ways. The serious illness and death of a child has a devastating impact that lasts forever in the lives of all who know the child. Unfortunately, however, children with life-limiting conditions and their families often do not receive the compassionate, competent and consistent care that optimally meets their physical, psychosocial, emotional or spiritual needs and that lays the foundation for optimal adaptation following the child’s death. Much progress has been made in enhancing pediatric palliative care services, but much remains to be done. In particular, development of pediatric palliative are over the past 30 years indicates the science of this field is in its infancy. Research is limited, and systematic data are not widely available. However, some recent steps encourage and guide such research. For example, the publication of the Institute of Medicine’s report on end of life care for children (2002) offers a comprehensive examination of the state of the field and offers directions for future research. Palliative care professionals and researchers have an obligation to provide the best possible care based on evidence that their interventions are safe and promote patient and family comfort. Sometimes, however, the problem is not with the science itself, but with our approach to science, or with the application of the knowledge we have, that is, with the art of pediatric palliative care. Both art and science are necessary for optimal care, but it is human-to-human interaction that helps us find meaning in the existential suffering inherent in the death of a child.
Presenter:Betty Davies, RN, PhD, FAAN
Organizer:Cynda Rushton, RN, DNSc, FAAN

37th Biennial Convention - Scientific Session
Sigma Theta Tau International