The experiences of health care professionals to initiate a pediatric palliative family meeting: A descriptive phenomenological study

Abstract

The initiation of palliative family meeting can promote quality of palliative care and facilitate better communication between the health care team and the family However existing literatures regarding pediatric palliative family meeting are limited The purpose of this study is to explore the essence of health care professionals’ experiences to initiate a pediatric palliative family meeting Husserl’s descriptive phenomenological study was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews with fourteen health care professionals Data were analyzed using transcendental phenomenology Moustakas and Colaizzi’s seven-step protocol Three main themes emerged: (1) professional accountability for patients’ and family’s best interests (2) professional navigation through sailing across the dark ocean in the illness transitions journey (3) competent self while walking through the valley of the shadow of death with the patient and family The essence of the experiences of pediatric palliative family meeting is structured by “accountability for best interests integrated palliative care planning professional and thorough information explanation two-way communication emotional support care support maintaining hope through providing trust and comfort These results suggest that the process of pediatric palliative family meeting will be conducive to the practice of pediatric palliative care The results of this study may further direct educational training and practices in pediatric palliative care From the results we come to a better understanding put on a holistic view of the intervention about the healthcare professional initiation pediatric palliative family meeting

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English
Supervisor	Mei-Chih Huang (Supervisor)