The Initiative for Pediatric Palliative Care: An Interdisciplinary Educational Approach for Healthcare Professionals

There is growing empirical evidence that the U.S. healthcare system fails to meet the needs of children with life-threatening conditions and their families. The confluence of several recent developments has created a critical window of opportunity for improving clinical practice and institutional effectiveness in pediatric palliative care. This article presents an innovative, comprehensive approach to pediatric palliative care education that was developed by the Initiative for Pediatric Palliative Care, a consortium of seven academic children's hospitals, Education Development Center, the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, the New York Academy of Medicine, the Society of Pediatric Nursing, and the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs. The approach is based on needs assessment research with clinicians and parents and reflects a commitment to culturally respectful, family-centered care of children with life-threatening conditions. The pedagogy combines principles of adult education, includes families as teachers, and integrates affective and cognitive dimensions to enhance learning.