Who Died Of Cancer Between 1990-1997 Experienced Substantial

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who died of cancer between 1990-1997 experienced substantial suffering at EOL and parental communication was deficient. Wolfe suggests that there is a need for extensive improvement in EOLC for children with cancer (2000). It is expected that children with cancer should receive high-quality palliative care at the end of life. But a study found that, it is not known whether EOLC of children with cancer meets this standard of care. In a Boston study, it was found that children experienced substantial suffering towards the EOL, and treatment was seldom successful. The study also found that fatigue was the most commonly reported symptom, and there were barely any attempts by physicians to treat this problem (Wolfe et al., 2000). The data…show more content…
According to the parents, physicians mainly focused on the physical symptoms of the child. Most of the psychological symptoms of both the child and the parent were not acknowledged by health professionals (Theunissen et al., 2007). Despite this result, there have been substantial research conducted to create measures that can gauge the quality and effect of palliative care mostly for adults. However, data collected from these studies may be applied to interventions created to help children with cancer. Preparing for Death Approximately 2,300 pediatric patients with cancer will die each year in the United States. Of these 2,300 patients, more than half will include have a do not resuscitate order (DNR) during their EOL planning (Hinds et al., 2005). During the last month of life, a study found that most children; according to their parents, 53% had little or no fun, 61% were more than a little sad and 63% were not calm and peaceful most of the time (Wolfe et al., 2000). These deaths are usually anticipated, and have been included in the end of life decisions of both patient and family. End of life decisions include, DNRs, withdrawal of life support and aggressive symptom management only. Hinds et al. (2005) study reported that the most frequently reason for feeling okay about a DNR decision include “the Lord is

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