[Children and adolescents with cancer under palliative care: experience of family members].

This study's objective was to investigate the experience of family members of children and adolescents with cancer in terms of palliative care, especially the care provided in the final stage of life. This is a descriptive and exploratory study with qualitative data analysis. A total of 14 family members participated in the study. They were the caregivers of children and adolescents with cancer who died, and were followed up by a teaching hospital in the state of São Paulo. Empirical data were organized around three themes: "The impact of the worsening of the disease on the family's dynamics", "Communicating bad news" and "The experience of the family concerning palliative care". This study is relevant to children and adolescents with cancer in the end-of life care because the complex, dynamics, and comprehensive experiences of families in the care of children and adolescents in this period can contribute to better understanding of the process of providing care in light of the fundamentals of palliative care. PMID: 24676065 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Rev Bras Enferm Source Type: research