A qualitative study of advice from bereaved parents and siblings.
IM; sibling bereavement
Despite a growing bereavement literature, relatively little is known about what families find helpful after a child's death and how best to assist them during the grieving process. In this qualitative study, the authors explored advice from 40 families (65 parents, 39 siblings) of children who died from cancer 6-19 months earlier. Content analysis emphasized the individual nature of grief and revealed advice that fit into three temporal categories: before the death, soon after, and long-term. Findings are discussed in the context of contemporary theory and provide insight into the development and timing of grief interventions.
Thompson AL; Miller KS; Barrera M; Davies B; Foster TL; Gilmer MJ; Hogan N; Vannatta K; Gerhardt CA
Journal Of Social Work In End-of-life & Palliative Care
2011
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).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1080/15524256.2011.593153" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1080/15524256.2011.593153</a>
The Road to Readiness: Guiding Families of Children and Adolescents with Serious Illness Toward Meaningful Advance Care Planning Discussions
adolescents; Advance care planning; children; readiness; serious illness
Seriously ill children, adolescents, and young adults (C-AYA) live with a heavy symptom burden, uncertain or poor prognoses, and evolving expectations of their disease course that require health care professionals (HCPs) to facilitate and maintain meaningful conversations across clinical settings. Caring for C-AYA with life-threatening illnesses is complex for family caregivers and HCPs. Among […]
Wiener L; Bell CJ; Spruit JL; Weaver MS; Thompson AL
NAM Perspectives
2021
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/10.31478/202108a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.31478/202108a</a>
A Seat at the Table: Professional Competencies Define Roles and Value of Psychologists in Pediatric Palliative Care (TH110B)
Palliative Care
Outcomes: 1. Describe the development of essential competencies for psychologists in pediatric palliative care (PPC) 2. Discuss psychologists' roles in PPC, research, and education and the value of inclusion as members of the multidisciplinary PPC team Psychologists are not yet routinely embedded into pediatric palliative care (PPC) teams, though have been increasingly recognized as contributing unique expertise to the field (eg, evidence-based assessment and treatment of psychological symptoms; research methods, design, and implementation; team- and systems-related skills). Accordingly, national and international organizations have called for inclusion of psychologists and behavioral health specialists within PPC (eg, World Health Organization, 2018; American Psychological Association, 2017; Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, 2021). Responding to these calls, a workgroup of nine pediatric psychologists (ie, clinicians, researchers, and educators with 4–16 years of experience in PPC) set out to develop competencies for PPC psychologists. Goals were to (1) define the role of psychology in PPC and increase interdisciplinary colleagues’ understanding of our expertise, (2) advocate for inclusion of psychologists in PPC teams, and (3) standardize graduate and post-graduate training to ensure a competent workforce. The proposed Podium Presentation will describe the process of developing these competencies, including review of existing competencies in related mental health disciplines and other psychology subspecialties, selection of a competency model, competency draft development, and review by a multidisciplinary and diverse group of stakeholders, all with careful attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical care, research, education, and training. We will introduce the essential competencies in six functional and foundational domains (ie, application, education, systems, science, interpersonal, and professionalism) along with corresponding behavioral anchors, thereby orienting the multidisciplinary audience to the unique contributions of psychologists in PPC. Finally, we will highlight how these competencies can help PPC leaders advocate for inclusion of psychology on PPC teams, recruit qualified psychologists into new roles on those teams, and best utilize the expertise of their psychology team members to promote comprehensive biopsychosocial care of patients and families.
Thompson AL; McCarthy SR; Kentor RA
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
2023
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/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.12.033" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.12.033</a>
Competencies for Psychology Practice in Pediatric Palliative Care
competencies; critical illness; end-of-life care; interdisciplinary; Palliative Care; pediatric palliative care; Self Psychology
OBJECTIVE: Pediatric psychologists have unique expertise to contribute to the care of youth with serious illnesses yet are not routinely integrated into pediatric palliative care (PPC) teams. To better define the role and unique skillset of psychologists practicing in PPC, support their systematic inclusion as part of PPC teams, and advance trainee knowledge of PPC principles and skills, the PPC Psychology Working Group sought to develop core competencies for psychologists in this subspecialty. METHODS: A Working Group of pediatric psychologists with expertise in PPC met monthly to review literature and existing competencies in pediatrics, pediatric and subspecialty psychology, adult palliative care, and PPC subspecialties. Using the modified competency cube framework, the Working Group drafted core competencies for PPC psychologists. Interdisciplinary review was conducted by a diverse group of PPC professionals and parent advocates, and competencies were revised accordingly. RESULTS: The six competency clusters include Science, Application, Education, Interpersonal, Professionalism, and Systems. Each cluster includes essential competencies (i.e., knowledge, skills, attitudes, roles) and behavioral anchors (i.e., examples of concrete application). Reviewer feedback highlighted clarity and thoroughness of competencies and suggested additional consideration of siblings and caregivers, spirituality, and psychologists' own positionality. CONCLUSIONS: Newly developed competencies for PPC psychologists highlight unique contributions to PPC patient care and research and provide a framework for highlighting psychology's value in this emerging subspecialty. Competencies help to advocate for inclusion of psychologists as routine members of PPC teams, standardize best practices among the PPC workforce, and provide optimal care for youth with serious illness and their families.
Thompson AL; Schaefer MR; McCarthy SR; Hildenbrand AK; Cousino MK; Marsac ML; Majeski J; Wohlheiter K; Kentor RA
Journal of Pediatric Psychology
2023
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/10.1093/jpepsy/jsad007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1093/jpepsy/jsad007</a>
Psychologists as Pivotal Members of the Pediatric Palliative Care Team
child; Palliative Care; diagnosis; article; human; quality of life; palliative therapy; Psychology; adolescent; therapy; evidence based practice; drug therapy; consensus; interdisciplinary research; psychologist
Context: Pediatric psychologists possess unique expertise to positively impact the care provided to children with serious illness and their families. Despite increasing recognition regarding the value of psychology in palliative care, psychologists are not yet routinely integrated into pediatric palliative care (PPC) teams. Objectives: This special paper seeks to demonstrate distinctive contributions psychologists can offer to PPC teams, patients, and families, as well as highlight how psychologists enhance the work of their interdisciplinary PPC colleagues. Methods: Existing literature, consensus and policy statements, and recently developed competencies inform and provide evidence for the value of incorporating psychologists into PPC. Results: As children with serious illness are at risk for mental and physical health symptoms, psychologists' specialized training in evidence-based assessment and intervention allows them to assess areas of concern, create treatment plans, and implement nonpharmacological therapies targeting symptom management and promotion of quality of life. By improving patient and family outcomes, psychology involvement saves money. In addition to clinical care, psychologists are skilled researchers, which can help to advance PPC interdisciplinary research. Lastly, psychologists can play a valuable role in contributing to PPC team education, dynamics, and well-being. Conclusions: With strong skills in research, clinical care, education, and advocacy, pediatric psychologists are exceptionally equipped to provide care to children with serious illness and their families. Given their unique contributions, it is critical future efforts are directed towards advocating for the inclusion of psychologists into PPC, with the ultimate goal of improving care for children with serious illness and their families.
Thompson AL; Kentor RA; Schaefer MR; McCarthy SR
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
2024
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/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.02.006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.02.006</a>