Children of Palliative Care Patients

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, research on childhood bereavement has increased, drawing attention to the need to provide intervention for children of palliative care patients. The research and clinical experience of a wide range of medical professionals from many countries and cultures is providing a foundation to assist the reader in developing effective interventions for the children of palliative care patients. The ability of the parents to engage in open communication with their children is a key mediating factor that can be addressed during early intervention that can positively influence the child s response to a terminally ill parent. However, there are still few qualitative and even fewer quantitative studies focused on interventions for the children of palliative care patients. The literature on children whose parents die of cancer is abundant. It is important to remember that making recommendations to families in such a situation is difficult.