title: Prioritisation of future research topics in paediatric palliative care in Ireland: a Delphi study.
abstract: This paper reports the findings from a Delphi Study undertaken to identify the research priorities in children's palliative care in Ireland. Palliative care for children is a small and highly specialised field of healthcare that focuses on improving the quality of life of children living with, or dying from, a life-limiting condition. Ideally, support for children requiring palliative care begins at the time of diagnosis, which for many children with life-limiting conditions can be from birth. There is a notable overlap between the needs of children requiring palliative care and those with disabilities and other complex care needs, resulting in care being provided by a range of voluntary and statutory agencies. As a new specialty, there is a need to develop an evidence-based approach to providing children's palliative care. In order to do this in a systematic way, identification of the research priorities in children's palliative care within Ireland is required.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Programme Director, School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Care Alliance Ireland, Dublin.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.affiliation: Our Lady' Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devins
authors.affiliation: Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin and St Lukes Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin.
authors.forename: Maeve
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.affiliation: Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin and St Lukes Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Twomey
authors.affiliation: CEO European Association of Palliative Care.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ling
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D010166:Palliative Care; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012106:Research; D035781:Siblings; D013727:Terminal Care
keywords: Children; Delphi study; Life-limiting conditions; Research priorities