Description
The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has developed pediatric palliative care informational materials for families of children with serious illnesses (http://1.usa.gov/1rHZs45). The fact sheet, family stories, and resource card highlighting support services are designed to assist families of seriously ill pediatric patients with palliative care planning and decision making. Suggestions and insights from families of children with serious illness were taken into consideration when the materials were developed. The materials complement information provided by the NINR’s existing Palliative Care: Conversations Matter campaign, which includes an overview of palliative care services, as well as related tips and resources for clinicians. “Palliative care is often associated with end of life, making it difficult for patients and their families—and even health care providers—to start conversations around the subject,” said NINR Director Patricia A. Grady, RN, PhD, in a statement. We hope these materials will improve patient and family understanding of pediatric palliative care and facilitate discussion with health care teams.”
The fact sheet, resource card, and family stories can be accessed in English and Spanish on the NINR’s Palliative Care: Conversations Matter campaign website