End of Life Care for Children: The Knowledge and Perceptions of Pediatric Health Care Providers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Developing Country

E T Dileep, Balarama V R, Ganesh C Hunashyal

Abstract: Background: Adding quality care to end-of-life (EOL), rather than aiming solely to put more time into the remaining life, strives to put more life into the remaining time. End-of-life decisions range from decisions to forgo potentially life-sustaining treatments and decisions to alleviate pain or other symptoms by using drugs with a possible life-shortening effect. End-of-life decision making for children typically involves caregivers, parents, and, if possible, the child. Materials and methods: An exploratory cross sectional survey of pediatric health care providers (HCP) working in pediatrics department of a tertiary care institute regarding their knowledge and perceptions on EOL care in children was conducted using a pre-tested semi structured anonymous questionnaire in three sections with 12, 16 and 11 items respectively. The study protocol was approved by the Institute Ethics Committee. Results: Majority of the respondents were nurse, 98/118 (83.1%). The major components of EOL as reported by respondents were: psychological/emotional support to parents (38.13%), pain management (29.66%) and comfort/physical needs/ADL (24.57%) etc. Majority of the health care personnel, 109/118 (92.4%) were in favor of a written protocol for EOL care. Conclusion: Regarding EOL care aspects there is a wide variation in knowledge and perceptions of health care providers working in pediatric setting. There is a need for an awareness regarding legal policies/ specific laws that are relevant to the following EOL issues. A written protocol or a training program may be more helpful in rendering EOL care.

Keywords: End of life care, end of life decisions, children, health care providers

How to Cite?: E T Dileep, Balarama V R, Ganesh C Hunashyal, "End of Life Care for Children: The Knowledge and Perceptions of Pediatric Health Care Providers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Developing Country", Volume 14 Issue 3, March 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 461-466, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25309225909, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25309225909

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