Challenges and support needs of parents and children when a parent is at end of life: A systematic review

Palliative Medicine, 2019 33(8) p.1017-1044

Jeffrey R Hanna, Eilís McCaughan, Cherith J Semple

This review synthesised evidence on the experiences of parents and children when a parent is at the end of life to discern their challenges, support needs and the factors that facilitated good practice. Lack of understanding in relation to the parent's prognosis, denial and feeling ill-equipped were suggested as barriers for parents to share the news with their children. Engagement with social networks, including extended family relatives and peers, and maintaining routines such as attending school were suggested supportive by parents and children. 

One year on: the government response to the review of choice in end of life care

Department of Health, 21st September 2017 This report sets out the progress the national end of life care programme board has made in implementing the government’s choice commitment. Access the report here

The Patient Dignity Inventory: just another evaluation tool? Experiences with advanced cancer patients

Palliative & Supportive Care 2017 June 21, pp1-7

María Rullán, María Arantzamendi, Ana Carvajal, Marina Martínez, Amaia Saenz de Ormijana, Carlos Centeno

The aim of the present work was to generate a better understanding of the experiences of healthcare staff when using the PDI. The authors conclude that as well as its intrinsic therapeutic value, it often led to a meaningful conversation with the patients on the meaning of life, dignity and other sensitive issues related to the process of advanced illness.

Fulltext available in Palliative and Supportive Care

Walls, wisdom, worries, and wishes: engaging communities in discussion about death, dying, loss, and care using café conversation

Progress in Palliative Care, 2016, vol./is. 24/1(9-14)

McLoughlin, K., McGilloway, S., Lloyd, R., O'Connor, M., Rhatigan, J., Shanahan, M., Richardson, M., Keevey, A.

This paper reflects on the adaptation of the World Café concept to engage with members of the public in Compassionate Communities Café Conversation.  This paper outlines the preparation, presentation, and pilot evaluation of the Compassionate Communities Café Conversation experience in two towns in the Mid-West of Ireland. The experience and findings suggest that this approach offers a potentially very useful framework for use by others as part of a health promoting approach to palliative care.

Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice Library, Brookfields Hospital