Presentation Description:
Using a case based approach, this interactive workshop discussed the challenges children and their families, healthcare providers, and the healthcare team face in the setting of relapsed disease. This workshop discussed eliciting parents’ definition of “being a good parent to my very ill child” and using this to inform care. Conversely, the assembled group examined the clinician’s definition of “being a good doctor/nurse/provider to this very ill child”, and how this compares and contrasts with what patients and parents value. This session explored what happens to the family and family dynamics at the time of diagnosis or relapsed disease. In addition, team dynamics (internal and external) during times of crucial decision-making and conflict were explored. Conceptual clarification of palliative care and end of life care were discussed along with tools for incorporating this into our communication with families and health care providers, and in our decision-making.
Andrea Frolic, PhD
Director, Office of Clinical & Organizational Ethics, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton
Pamela Hinds, PhD, RN, FAAN
Director, Department of Nursing Research and Quality Outcomes
Children’s National Medical Center, Washington
Shayna Zelcer, MD, FRCPC
Staff Physician, Paediatric Hematology/Oncology
Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
