Pediatric End-of-Life Care for Taiwanese Children Who Died As a Result of Cancer From 2001 Through 2006

Abstract

Continued chemotherapy and heavy use of life-sustaining treatments in the last month of life coupled with lack of hospice care to support Taiwanese pediatric cancer patients dying at home may lead to multiple unplanned health care encounters, prolonged hospitalization at EOL, and eventual death in an acute care hospital for the majority of these patients. Future research should design interventions that enable Taiwanese pediatric cancer patients to receive EOL care that best meets the individual or the parental needs and preferences.