Background: 

Many AHP are involved in caring for children with palliative care needs and their families both pre and post death. The experience of AHP in PPC is not clearly understood or described in the literature. 

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne is Australia’s largest, specialist paediatric hospital offering a range of specialised medical and clinical services. A diverse range of allied health professionals make up a large part of the care team at RCH, including: speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, child life therapists, dieticians, pharmacists and psychologists. 

This study seeks to explore perspectives and experiences of AHP working with children with palliative care needs at RCH. 

 

Aim/Objectives: 

The primary aim of this study is to explore AHP’s perspectives and experiences in working with children with palliative care needs. 

Objectives include: 

(i) Identification of AHP’s confidence and comfort working amidst prognostic uncertainty, distress and loss.  

(ii) Identification of AHP’s needs in specialised areas including chronic illness, disability, grief and bereavement. 
(iii) Exploration of AHP’s understanding of declining health and function and changing goals of care. 

(iv) Sharing of insights to improve the care and experience of patients, families and AHP’s. 

 

Methods: 

 - An electronic survey was distributed amongst AHP’s  

 - The survey explored attitudes, perceived barriers and levels of confidence in working with children with palliative care needs. 

 - Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics. 

 - Qualitative data will be analysed with deductive content analysis. 

 

Results/Findings:  

 - Increased understanding of strengths, challenges and opportunities for AHP’s. 

 - Identification of knowledge and practice gaps  

 - Identification of opportunities to enhance allied health supports  

 - Benchmarking of AHP’s perspectives and experiences will inform best practice supports for children and their families with palliative care needs 

 - Identification of education and professional development opportunities.