Nurse-initiated Conversations for Early Integration of Palliative Care in Pediatric Oncology

Launched by CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF FUDAN UNIVERSITY · Mar 29, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new program called Nurse-initiated Conversations for Early Integration of Palliative Care in Pediatric Oncology (NiCE) at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University. The goal of this study is to see how starting conversations about palliative care earlier can help children with cancer and their families. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs, not just treating the illness. In this trial, some families will receive these early conversations about care, while others will continue with the usual approach, which only offers palliative care when someone specifically requests it.

To participate in this study, children must be within eight weeks of their initial cancer diagnosis or a relapse and should be accompanied by a family caregiver who speaks Chinese. The study is open to all genders and aims to include healthcare providers involved in the care of these children as well. Participants can expect to engage in discussions with nurses about their care options over a period of six months. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it aims to provide valuable insights into how early palliative care conversations can support families during a challenging time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children within eight weeks of initial oncologic diagnosis or within eight weeks of relapse/recurrent disease diagnosis
• • Children speaking Chinese
• • Children's family caregivers accompanying the child in the hospital (only one family member is eligible to take this role under current hospital policy)
• • Children's family caregivers speaking Chinese
• • Health care providers who are taking care of the eligible children, including but not limited to physicians, nurses, and social workers
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • - Children who, in the opinion of their physician, are not capable mentally or verbally of participating in the survey or interview