Integrative Review: Parent Perspectives on Care of Their Child at the End of Life

Authors

Ann P. Aschenbrenner, Columbia College of Nursing
Jill M. Winters, Columbia College of Nursing
Ruth Ann Belknap, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

9 p.

Publication Date

10-2012

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Journal of Pediatric Nursing

Source ISSN

0882-5963

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2011.07.008

Abstract

This integrative review aims to describe parents' perspectives on end-of-life care for their children. Fifteen publications from a literature search of the Cochrane databases, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PSYCHinfo were included in the review. Recurring themes included poor communication/lack of information, strained relationships/inadequate emotional support, parental need to maintain parent/child relationships in life and death, quality of care continues after the death of the child, influence of services/planning on parent/child impacts quality of life, and the difficult decision to terminate life support. No studies were identified that focused on parents' perspectives on the care their child received at the end of life. Further research that focuses on the special needs of parents at this difficult time is needed.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Vol. 27, No. 5 (October, 2012): 514-522. DOI. © 2012 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Aschenbrenner, Ann P.; Winters, Jill M.; and Belknap, Ruth Ann, "Integrative Review: Parent Perspectives on Care of Their Child at the End of Life" (2012). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 163.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/163