Most children die in acute care settings. Conversations with the child and family to determine the best end-of-life care setting are important.
Some research suggests that end-of-life care for children is three to four times more expensive than for adults. More than costs though, understanding a child's and family's preferences for palliative care and place of death (in hospital or at home) can help us to optimize their end-of-life care.
Researchers reviewed healthcare costs and circumstances at death for 1620 children aged 1 month to 19 years who died in Ontario from 2010 to 2013. Causes of death were categorized as perinatal/congenital, chronic, external, and other. Overall, chronic diseases (e.g., infectious diseases, cancer, organ dysfunction) were the most common cause of death (42%). Among children aged 15 to 19 years, external causes (accident, assault, drowning, complication…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)