Conducting end-of-life studies in pediatric oncology

West J Nurs Res. 2007 Jun;29(4):448-65. doi: 10.1177/0193945906295533.

Abstract

Improving our ability to prevent or diminish suffering in dying children and adolescents and their families is dependent on the completion of high-quality pediatric end-of-life studies. The purpose of this article is to provide useful evidence-based strategies that have been used to implement and complete clinically useful pediatric end-of-life studies in oncology. The article describes specific peer-review and methodological challenges and links those to evidence-based solutions. The challenges and solutions described in this article are from eight end-of-life studies involving pediatric oncology patients. It is hoped that the solutions described here will benefit others in their efforts to implement pediatric end-of-life studies so that clinically useful findings will result and will improve the care of dying children and adolescents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Nursing Research
  • Humans
  • Oncology Nursing / ethics*
  • Pediatric Nursing*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Terminal Care*