Experiences of paediatric terminal oncology patients and their parents in palliative care: A qualitative systematic review.
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PROBLEM: The terminal phase of childhood cancer poses profound physical and mental challenges for children, simultaneously influencing parents and rendering them particularly susceptible to psychosocial issues. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: This review included studies exploring the experiences of either: (1) paediatric terminal oncology patients aged under 18 years, (2) parents with a child facing terminal cancer undergoing palliative care, or (3) parents with a child who had undergone palliative care and died. English language, qualitative journal studies or grey literature of any care settings, geographical locations and publication years were included. Studies exploring the experiences of (1) paediatric terminal oncology not receiving palliative care from qualified healthcare professionals, and (3) non-biological parents or non-parental family members, were excluded. SAMPLE: A total of 22 studies were included, published between January 2000 and December 2023. Seventy-two children (aged between 5 and 18 years old) and 236 parents (aged between 24 and 57 years old) participated across all studies. Palliative care settings mostly comprised oncology centres, hospitals and homes. RESULTS: Two themes were identified from the 22 included studies: (1) Navigating rough waters and enduring hardships, and (2) Preparing for end-of-life amidst the looming threat of death. CONCLUSIONS: This review underscored the importance of integrating palliative childhood cancer care in a holistic, age-specific, family-centred, person-centred and timely manner. IMPLICATIONS: Paediatric oncology nurses should attend to physical and psychosocial needs of children and parents, fostering familial and social ties while recognising cultural and spiritual needs. Future research could recruit participants of varying ages, genders, and cultures.