title: Early Integration of Palliative Care for Children with High-Risk Cancer and Their Families.
abstract: Despite increasing data to support pediatric palliative care (PPC) as an integral component of high-quality care for children with life-threatening conditions and their families, timely integration of PPC is offered inconsistently to children with high-risk cancer. In this review, we summarize the growing body of literature in support of early integration of PPC for children with high-risk cancer and their families, advocating that PPC principles and resources are imperative to holistic cancer-directed care and rooted in evidence-based medicine. Finally, we offer possible strategies for optimizing integration of PPC into holistic cancer care for children and families.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Oncology and Palliative Care, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Erica C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.affiliation: Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friebert
authors.affiliation: Departments of Oncology and Palliative Care, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Justin N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods
keywords: communication; early integration; palliative care; pediatric hematology/oncology; psychosocial; quality of life