Pediatric critical care and oncology providers care for patients who have life-threatening or serious illness, yet they receive little palliative care education.
Objective:
Compare oncology and critical care providers’ attitudes regarding palliative care.
Methods:
An electronic survey assessed respondents’ opinions of whether, when, and why palliative care should be utilized.
Results:
Response rate was 49%. Critical care physicians were more likely to incorporate palliative care for psychosocial support; oncologists for symptom control. Those with palliative care education were more likely to involve in palliative care, did so earlier and for reasons other than end-of-life planning.
Conclusions:
Oncology and critical care providers utilized palliative care for different reasons.
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