title: [How to discuss death with children and families?].
abstract: Taking care of a child or an adolescent in palliative stage is a testing work for health professionals in paediatric onco-hematology. The communication with the child at the end of life and his family is delicate but however essential to ensure quality cares while supporting trust. The continuation of a genuine relation and a regular information concerning the child's health help the parents to progressively understand the lack of possible cure and the future death of their child. This anticipation also allows to possibly discuss about conditions and place of death of the ill child or adolescent. The child or adolescent himself at the end of life can also feel the need for speaking about his situation. It is then for the adult, parent or health professional, to share with him his questionings and his possible worries in order to reduce his loneliness and his fears. To let be guided by the child allows to respect his progression and his wish to know more about it or not. Finally a support must also be offered for the siblings.
authors.affiliation: Institut Curie, département d’oncologie pédiatrique, unité de psycho-oncologie, 26, rue d’Ulm, 75248 Paris Cedex 05, France. etienne.seigneur@curie.net
authors.forename: Étienne
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: Seigneur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*