Who are the children using hospice care?

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose was to examine the characteristics of children who use hospice care.

Design and methods: Using the Andersen Model of Health Services Use, California Medicaid administrative databases were analyzed to describe the characteristics of 76 children in hospice.

Results: The predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics of children were identified. Children who used hospice were a diverse group with community resources that enabled them to access care while presenting with serious health needs. Children enrolled in hospice were more likely older (15-20 years of age), resided nearer a pediatric hospice, and had a serious health condition such as neuromuscular disease with multiple comorbidities.

Practice implications: With this knowledge, pediatric nurses can improve their clinical practice by targeting conversations with families and children most in need of hospice care.

Keywords: End-of-life; Medicaid; hospice care; palliative care; pediatrics.