Checklist of Paediatric Advance Care Planning: A Delphi Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To develop a comprehensive decision-making checklist for paediatric advance care planning tailored to the needs of terminally ill children and their families.

Design

A Delphi Study.

Methods

Underpinned by Delphi methodology, a four-phase procedure was adopted: (1) drafting items by the working group, (2) refining items based on an experts' survey, (3) further refining based on the same experts, and (4) final adaptations and approval. This study was initiated by the Paediatric Palliative Care Subspecialty Group of the Paediatrics Society of the Chinese Medical Association. The process involved 60 healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, and social workers) from 14 paediatric palliative care teams.

Results

The developed checklist included 5 topics, 24 subtopics, and 45 items. Five topics were (1) medical and nursing decision-making, (2) social support planning, (3) psychological support planning, (4) spiritual support planning, and (5) posthumous affairs planning. This checklist addresses symptom management for terminally ill children, integrating support for their psychological, social, and spiritual well-being, and addresses the care needs of their family members.

Conclusions

The study provided a paediatric advance care planning checklist derived from the expert consensus that includes key elements and items.

Implications

This checklist provides healthcare providers with a structured framework to set paediatric advance care planning and ensure that all aspects of children's well-being and their families' needs are considered. This study also lays an evidence-based foundation for the design of related documents.

Impact

This study developed a comprehensive paediatric advance care planning checklist with 5 topics, 24 subtopics, and 45 items. This study provides a comprehensive decision-making checklist for healthcare providers and families, ensuring that critical decisions are addressed timely.

Reporting Method

This article is presented in accordance with the CREDES guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

Limited patient and public involvement was incorporated, focusing on reviewing the initial checklist draft.