This integrative review aims to describe parents' perspectives on end-of-life care
for their children. Fifteen publications from a literature search of the Cochrane
databases, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PSYCHinfo were included in the review. Recurring themes
included poor communication/lack of information, strained relationships/inadequate
emotional support, parental need to maintain parent/child relationships in life and
death, quality of care continues after the death of the child, influence of services/planning
on parent/child impacts quality of life, and the difficult decision to terminate life
support. No studies were identified that focused on parents' perspectives on the care
their child received at the end of life. Further research that focuses on the special
needs of parents at this difficult time is needed.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 14, 2011
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© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
