Paediatriciansâ(TM) perceptions on referrals to paediatric palliative care

Children have traditionally been referred to palliative care when curative treatments were exhausted. Recently, experts have suggested that children could benefit from palliative care early in their courses of illness. Using survey data from 303 paediatricians in Florida and California, this study a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Palliative medicine 2009-07, Vol.23 (5), p.418
Main Authors: Knapp, C, Thompson, L, Madden, V, Shenkman, E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Children & youth
Epidemiology
Family physicians
Hospitals
Illnesses
Medicaid
Medical referrals
Palliative care
Pediatrics
Primary care
Reimbursement
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Summary:Children have traditionally been referred to palliative care when curative treatments were exhausted. Recently, experts have suggested that children could benefit from palliative care early in their courses of illness. Using survey data from 303 paediatricians in Florida and California, this study assesses if paediatricians would refer children to palliative care early in their course of illness. Results showed that more years in practice were associated with decreased odds of referring children to palliative care. Academic practice setting and more Medicaid patients were associated with greater odds of referral prior to the end of life. Hispanic paediatricians, those with more experience and those who practice in a hospital setting were associated with decreased odds of referral prior to the end of life. Results suggest that health planners who wish to implement or refine integrated paediatric palliative care programs should consider outreach strategies targeted at paediatricians with specific characteristics. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0269-2163
1477-030X
DOI:10.1177/0269216309102618