title: Speaking to the deceased child: Australian health professional perspectives in paediatric end-of-life care.
abstract: Supporting a dying child and family surrounding the child's death is one of the most significant and challenging roles undertaken by health professionals in paediatric end-of-life care. An Australian study of parent and health-professional constructions of meanings around post-mortem care and communication revealed the practice of health professionals speaking to a child after death. This practice conveyed respect for the personhood of the deceased child, recognised the presence of the deceased child, and assisted in involving parents in their child's post-mortem care. Such findings illuminate an area of end-of-life-care practice that is not often addressed. Talking to a deceased child appeared to be a socially symbolic practice that may promote a continued bond between parent and child.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Windsor
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010290:Parents; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013727:Terminal Care
keywords: Bereavement; continuing bonds; end-of-life care; grief; paediatric; parents; post-mortem care