title: Disclosing terminal diagnosis to children and their families: palliative professionals' communication barriers.
abstract: Few studies have fully explored the problem of communication barriers in pediatric palliative care, particularly the detrimental effects of poor interaction between staff and families on children's health and well-being. A literature review was undertaken to expand the current body of knowledge about staff to patient communications. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria (N = 15) were systematically read and summarized using a data extraction sheet. A narrative synthesis identified 5 overarching themes as barriers to communication. Improvements in staff education and individualized palliative care plans for children and their families may help to overcome communication barriers.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health and Life Sciences , Centre for Children and Families Applied Research, Coventry University , Coventry , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coad
authors.forename: Reena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*