Access to paediatric palliative care in children and adolescents with complex chronic conditions: A retrospective hospital-based study in Brussels, Belgium
adolescent; article; Belgium; cardiovascular disease; child; chronic disease; complex chronic condition; congenital disorder; data base; female; gastrointestinal disease; genetic disorder; groups by age; health care access; hematologic disease; hospital; hospital admission; hospitalized adolescent; hospitalized child; human; Icd-9; immune deficiency; infant; length of stay; major clinical study; male; malignant neoplasm; metabolic disorder; morbidity; neurologic disease; newborn; palliative therapy; patient care; patient referral; pediatric patient; pediatric ward; priority journal; respiratory tract disease; retrospective study; urinary tract disease
BACKGROUND: Paediatric complex chronic conditions (CCCs) are life-limiting conditions requiring paediatric palliative care, which, in Belgium, is provided through paediatric liaison teams (PLTs). Like the number of children and adolescents with these conditions in Belgium, their referral to PLTs is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify, over a 5-year period (2010-2014), the number of children and adolescents (0-19 years) living with a CCC, and also their referral to PLTs. METHODS: International Classification of Disease codes (ICD-9) corresponding to a CCC, as described by Feudtner et al, and national registration numbers were extracted from the databases of all hospitals (n=8) and PLTs (n=2) based in the Brussels region. Aggregated data and pseudonymised national registration number were transmitted to the research team by a Trusted Third Party (eHealth). Ages and diagnostic categories were calculated using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Over 5 years (2010-2014) in the Brussels region, a total of 22 721 children/adolescents aged 0-19 years were diagnosed with a CCC. Of this number, 22 533 were identified through hospital registries and 572 through PLT registries. By comparing the registries, we found that of the 22 533 children/adolescents admitted to hospital, only 384 (1.7%) were also referred to a PLT. CONCLUSION: In Belgium, there may be too few referrals of children and adolescents with CCC to PLTs that ensure continuity of care.
Friedel M; Gilson A; Bouckenaere D; Brichard B; Fonteyne C; Wojcik T; De Clercq E; Guillet A; Mahboub A; Lahaye M; Aujoulat I
BMJ Paediatrics Open
2019
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2019-000547" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1136/bmjpo-2019-000547</a>
Face and Content Validity, Acceptability, and Feasibility of the Adapted Version of the Children's Palliative Outcome Scale: A Qualitative Pilot Study
Belgium; children; instrument; outcome assessment
Objective: To assess the face and content validity, acceptability and feasibility of a French version of the Children's Palliative Outcome Scale (CPOS). Background(s): Instruments in French used to measure outcomes in pediatric palliative care are lacking. Method(s): After forward-backward translation of the 12-item English CPOS to French, we conducted a qualitative pilot study. During semi structured interviews among children and parents, we used the CPOS, the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life interview guide (SEIQoL) and the Quality of Life in Life-threatening Illness-Family Carer questionnaire (QOLLTI-F), in addition to three expert meetings with PLTs. Result(s): Fourteen children and adolescents (8-18 years) with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions cared for at home, in hospital or in respite care services, 19 parents, and 9 members of 4 pediatric liaison teams (PLTs) providing palliative care in a Belgian francophone region were included in the study. No families refused to participate. All children with verbal capacities chose to be interviewed in the presence of their parents and a PLT member. The children valued being given the opportunity to share their experiences. New QOL dimensions pertaining to social, emotional, and administrative health-care related issues were added to the original version of the 12-item CPOS, leading to a 22-item CPOS-2. Discussion(s): The CPOS-2 was perceived as relevant and easy to use by the principal stakeholders. Our study paves the way for a large-scale field study assessing its psychometric characteristics and its implementation in routine clinical care.
Friedel M; Brichard B; Boonen S; Tonon C; De Terwangne B; Bellis D; Mevisse M; Fonteyne C; Jaspard M; Schruse M; Harding R; Downing J; Namisango E; Degryse J M; Aujoulat I
Journal of palliative medicine
2020
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0646" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1089/jpm.2019.0646</a>