Recognising transitions in end of life care for children is difficult and hinders communication and care planning. The aim of this research was to identify the signs and symptoms that are most useful in signalling when children may have end of life care needs. A Delphi study was undertaken with palliative care professionals who rated the extent to which 75 symptoms alerted them that a child/young person may have moved into his or her last (a) weeks/days and (b) months. As in adult care, the findings showed that it is easier to recognise the last few days of life rather than the earlier transitions from supportive to end of life care. This study, the first of its kind to structure expert opinion about prognostic indicators provides important insight into which signs and symptoms are considered most valuable.
Shaw, K., Brook, L., Cuddeford, L., Fitzmaurice, N., Thomas, C., Thompson, A. & Wallis, M. 2014. Prognostic indicators for children and young people at end of life. Palliative Medicine, 28 (6) p501-512.
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