title: Lived experiences of parents caring for a child with a life-limiting condition in Australia: A qualitative study.
abstract: Experiential studies in paediatric palliative care are needed to enable an ongoing international agenda which supports the development of responsive family supports.
  
  
  
  To provide an in-depth exploration of the prevalent lived experiences of parents who are currently providing care for a child with a life-limiting condition in Australia.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional, prospective, qualitative study guided by an advisory group and reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies. Transcripts were subjected to a thematic analysis, underpinned by an interpretative phenomenological framework.
  
  
  
  Purposively sampled parents (n = 14) recruited from a statewide paediatric hospice who self-identified as a 'primary caregiver' for one or more children and/or adolescents (⩽18 years) with a life-limiting condition.
  
  
  
  Four key themes represented the prevalent experiences of parents: (1) trapped inside the house, (2) the protector, (3) living with the shadow and (4) travelling a different pathway. They describe parents' physical and social isolation, exclusion from the workforce, pervasive grief and associated impacts to their health and well-being. Limited professional and diminished social supports resulted in full ownership of care responsibility. Yet, parents embraced their role as 'protector', reporting acquired meaning and purpose.
  
  
  
  This study builds upon the growing body of evidence available in paediatric palliative care internationally. The key themes highlight the substantial demand for both physical and emotional support beyond what is currently offered and call for the implementation of carefully planned support services and other societal initiatives which seek to alleviate the broad health impacts to caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia Anna.collins@svha.org.au.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hennessy-Anderson
authors.affiliation: Very Special Kids, Malvern, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosking
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Palliative Care Program, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hynson
authors.affiliation: Mercy Palliative Care, Sunshine, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Remedios
authors.affiliation: Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.|Palliative Care Research Network Victoria, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Paediatric palliative care; caregiver; experiences; life-limiting condition; qualitative