Siblings caring for and about pediatric palliative care patients

J Palliat Med. 2014 Jan;17(1):62-7. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2013.0117. Epub 2013 Dec 6.

Abstract

Background: The experiences of young people who have siblings with life-limiting illnesses are not well understood.

Aim: The study proposed to identify the concerns of siblings of pediatric palliative care (PPC) patients.

Design and measurement: Semistructured interviews were administered to participants and analyzed using qualitative inductive thematic analysis.

Setting and participants: Study subjects were 18 siblings of PPC patients aged 9 to 22 living in the Auckland area.

Results: The siblings of PPC patients held concerns about their siblings' impending death and desires to be involved in their lives and care.

Conclusions: Siblings may benefit from opportunities to be involved in conversations about mortality and the care of their ill sibling. They are able to express their concerns and help provide care to PPC patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticipation, Psychological
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communication
  • Female
  • Grief
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New Zealand
  • Palliative Care / psychology*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Siblings / psychology*
  • Terminally Ill / psychology*
  • Young Adult