Parents’ Experiences And Wishes At End Of Life In Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Types I And Ii.
Title
Parents’ Experiences And Wishes At End Of Life In Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Types I And Ii.
Creator
Lovgren M; Sejersen T; Kreicbergs U
Publisher
Journal Of Pediatrics
Date
2016
Subject
Nationwide; Death; Health; Siblings; Palliative Care; Pediatrics
Bereavement; End-of-life Care; Location Of Death; Neuromuscular Disorders; Palliative Care; Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Description
OBJECTIVE:
To explore experiences and wishes of bereaved parents concerning end-of-life care for their child with severe spinal muscular atrophy.
STUDY DESIGN:
A follow-up survey was conducted in 2013 on parents of deceased Swedish children who were born between 2000 and 2010 and later diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type I or II (n = 48). The questions used in this study covered location of death (LoD), support from health care staff, and parents' wishes and concerns about their child's end-of-life care.
RESULTS:
One-half of those who had wishes about LoD (16/32) wanted their child to die at home, rather than at the hospital. All of those who wanted the child to die at the hospital had their wishes fulfilled. Among those who wanted the child to die at home, 10 of 16 got their wish. Among parents who talked with a physician about how they wanted their child to pass away (n = 26), all but 2 had their wishes fulfilled. Thirty-six parents (75%) reported that their child had siblings: 12 reported that the sibling was too young for professional psychological support, and only 4 of the remaining 24 siblings received such support after the death of their brother or sister.
CONCLUSIONS:
Parents' communication with the physician about their wishes and concerns regarding their child's end-of-life care and preferred LoD contributed to their wishes being fulfilled. The wish of hospital death was fulfilled more often than the wish of home deaths. A vast majority of siblings did not receive psychological support after death of their brother or sister.
To explore experiences and wishes of bereaved parents concerning end-of-life care for their child with severe spinal muscular atrophy.
STUDY DESIGN:
A follow-up survey was conducted in 2013 on parents of deceased Swedish children who were born between 2000 and 2010 and later diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type I or II (n = 48). The questions used in this study covered location of death (LoD), support from health care staff, and parents' wishes and concerns about their child's end-of-life care.
RESULTS:
One-half of those who had wishes about LoD (16/32) wanted their child to die at home, rather than at the hospital. All of those who wanted the child to die at the hospital had their wishes fulfilled. Among those who wanted the child to die at home, 10 of 16 got their wish. Among parents who talked with a physician about how they wanted their child to pass away (n = 26), all but 2 had their wishes fulfilled. Thirty-six parents (75%) reported that their child had siblings: 12 reported that the sibling was too young for professional psychological support, and only 4 of the remaining 24 siblings received such support after the death of their brother or sister.
CONCLUSIONS:
Parents' communication with the physician about their wishes and concerns regarding their child's end-of-life care and preferred LoD contributed to their wishes being fulfilled. The wish of hospital death was fulfilled more often than the wish of home deaths. A vast majority of siblings did not receive psychological support after death of their brother or sister.
Rights
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Citation List Month
May 2016 List
Citation
Lovgren M; Sejersen T; Kreicbergs U, “Parents’ Experiences And Wishes At End Of Life In Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Types I And Ii.,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed April 23, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/10612.