Introduction to Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care

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Video Runtime: 40 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 33 Minutes

Pediatric hospice and palliative care have many similarities and differences to their adult counterparts. This fast-paced course gives an introductory overview of this topic, encouraging clinicians to share their expertise across the life span by building on previous knowledge. Teams are an essential part of pediatric hospice and palliative care. This course goes over how teams interact with children and their families for a better quality of life. Personal interviews with three mothers whose children used hospice and palliative care help bring the concepts to fruition. Pediatric hospice and palliative care is very important to children and their families, and this course helps emphasize this.

Meet your instructor

Joan Chrastek

Joan “Jody” Chrastek was born and brought up in India and trained as a nurse in Scotland. She has worked as a midwife and hospice nurse in the UK, India, and the USA with adults and children. She has worked in hospice and palliative care for more than 35 years in both inpatient and community settings. She has provided…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Pediatric and Adult Hospice and Palliative Care: Similarities and Differences

This chapter discusses the expertise clinicians can bring to families and children even if they have only had experience with adult hospice patients. Jody brings to light the differences between pediatric hospice and palliative care. Jody engages in an interview with Dannell, the gifted mother of Levi, to share their family’s story.

2. The Team

This chapter discusses the importance of the interdisciplinary team and how it works in pediatric palliative care and hospice. It details the team members and explains the additional roles that are part of a team, as well as how to supplement with community participants when needed. The importance of both family and interteam support is highlighted. Jody finishes with an engaging interview with Jenny, who shares her daughter’s experience in hospice and palliative care.

3. Family-Centered Care

This chapter discusses how the family plays an essential role in pediatric hospice and palliative care. Good communication, especially active listening, will help in the development of a care plan that is supported by the family as well as the team. Often there are difficult decisions to make on behalf of the child that at times may include the child’s input, depending on their ability to take part in these decisions. Each family is unique and the plan of care for their situation carefully individualized. This chapter ends with an engaging interview with Priscilla, who shares her daughter Jovanka’s palliative care and hospice experience.

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