title: Research priorities in pediatric palliative care: a Delphi study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pediatric palliative care is increasingly recognized to be a specialized type of care requiring specific skills and knowledge, yet, as found in several countries, there is little available research evidence on which to base care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the project was to achieve consensus among palliative care practitioners and researchers regarding the identification of pertinent lines of research.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Delphi technique was used with an interdisciplinary panel (n = 14-16) of researchers and frontline clinicians in pediatric palliative care in Canada.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four priority research questions were identified: What matters most for patients and parents receiving pediatric palliative services? What are the bereavement needs of families in pediatric palliative care? What are the best practice standards in pain and symptom management? What are effective strategies to alleviate suffering at the end of life?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These identified priorities will provide guidance and direction for research efforts in Canada, and may prove useful in providing optimal care to patients and families in pediatric palliative care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bosma
authors.forename: Meaghen Fletcher
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cadell
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Siden
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Straatman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019985:Benchmarking; D001601:Bereavement; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D032921:Consensus; D003697:Delphi Technique; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012107:Research Design; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires