Speaking to the deceased child: Australian health professional perspectives in paediatric end-of-life care

Article


Forster, Elizabeth M. and Windsor, Carol. 2014. "Speaking to the deceased child: Australian health professional perspectives in paediatric end-of-life care." International Journal of Palliative Nursing. 20 (10), pp. 502-508. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2014.20.10.502
Article Title

Speaking to the deceased child: Australian health professional perspectives in paediatric end-of-life care

ERA Journal ID14090
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsForster, Elizabeth M. (Author) and Windsor, Carol (Author)
Journal TitleInternational Journal of Palliative Nursing
Journal Citation20 (10), pp. 502-508
Number of Pages7
Year2014
PublisherMA Healthcare Ltd
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN1357-6321
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2014.20.10.502
Web Address (URL)http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/ijpn.2014.20.10.502
Abstract

Supporting a dying child and family surrounding the child's death is one of the most significant and challenging roles undertaken by health professionals in paediatric end-of-life care. An Australian study of parent and health-professional constructions of meanings around post-mortem care and communication revealed the practice of health professionals speaking to a child after death. This practice conveyed respect for the personhood of the deceased child, recognised the presence of the deceased child, and assisted in involving parents in their child's post-mortem care. Such findings illuminate an area of end-of-life-care practice that is not often addressed. Talking to a deceased child appeared to be a socially symbolic practice that may promote a continued bond between parent and child.

KeywordsBereavement; Continuing bonds; End-of-life care; Grief; Paediatric; Parents; Post-mortem care; Australia; Child; Health Personnel; Humans; Nurse-Patient Relations; Parents; Professional-Family Relations; Terminal Care;
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420599. Nursing not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsQueensland University of Technology
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4239/speaking-to-the-deceased-child-australian-health-professional-perspectives-in-paediatric-end-of-life-care

  • 1200
    total views
  • 9
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Shape memory polymer smart plaster for orthopaedic treatments
Jeewantha, Janitha, Jayalath, Sandaruwan, Emmanuel, Chris, Herath, Madhubhashitha, Forster, Elizabeth, Islam, Mainul, Leng, Jinsong and Epaarachchi, Jayantha. 2022. "Shape memory polymer smart plaster for orthopaedic treatments." Smart Materials and Structures. 31 (11), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665X/ac943b
Early research of shape memory polymer vascular stents
Jeewantha, Lama Hewage Janitha, Epaarachchi, Jayantha Ananda, Forster, Elizabeth, Islam, Mainul and Leng, Jinsong. 2022. "Early research of shape memory polymer vascular stents." Express Polymer Letters. 16 (9), pp. 902-923. https://doi.org/10.3144/expresspolymlett.2023.49
Paediatric post-discharge pain and parent perceptions of support from an Australian nurse practitioner led acute pain service
Forster, Elizabeth M., Kotzur, Catherine, Richards, Julianne and Gilmour, John. 2022. "Paediatric post-discharge pain and parent perceptions of support from an Australian nurse practitioner led acute pain service." Journal of Child Health Care. 26 (3), pp. 394-406. https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935211014742
Nursing and medical perceptions of a hospital rapid response system new process but same old game?
Douglas, Clint, Osborne, Sonya, Windsor, Carol, Fox, Robyn, Booker, Catriona, Jones, Lee and Gardner, Glenn. 2016. "Nursing and medical perceptions of a hospital rapid response system new process but same old game?" Journal of Nursing Care Quality. 31 (2), pp. E1-E10. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000139
Nursing physical assessment for patient safety in general wards: reaching consensus on core skills
Douglas, Clint, Booker, Catriona, Fox, Robyn, Windsor, Carol, Osborne, Sonya and Gardner, Glenn. 2016. "Nursing physical assessment for patient safety in general wards: reaching consensus on core skills." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 25 (13-14), pp. 1890-1900. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13201
Engaging undergraduate nursing students in face-to-face tutorials
Elder, Ruth L., Lewis, Peter A., Windsor, Carol A., Wheeler, Margaret, Forster, Elizabeth, Foster, Joanne and Chapman, Helen. 2011. "Engaging undergraduate nursing students in face-to-face tutorials." Nurse Education in Practice. 11 (5), pp. 314-319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2011.02.003
Administration of medication
Forster, Elizabeth, Maher Dianne and Patane, Ibi. 2017. "Administration of medication ." Paediatric Nursing Skills for Australian Nurses. Cambridge University Press. pp. 124-145
Paediatric death and dying: exploring coping strategies of health professionals and perceptions of support provision
Forster, Elizabeth and Hafiz, Alaa. 2015. "Paediatric death and dying: exploring coping strategies of health professionals and perceptions of support provision." International Journal of Palliative Nursing. 21 (6), pp. 294-301. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2015.21.6.294
Enhancing bereavement support skills using simulated neonatal resuscitation
Forster, Elizabeth and Donovan, Helen. 2016. "Enhancing bereavement support skills using simulated neonatal resuscitation." International Journal of Palliative Nursing. 22 (10), pp. 500-507. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2016.22.10.500
Communication adaption in challenging simulations for student nurse midwives
Donovan, Helen and Forster, Elizabeth. 2015. "Communication adaption in challenging simulations for student nurse midwives." Clinical Simulation in Nursing. 11 (10), pp. 450-457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2015.08.004
Supporting breastfeeding
Forster, Elizabeth and Roache, Bridget. 2017. "Supporting breastfeeding." Forster, Elizabeth and Fraser, Jennifer (ed.) Paediatric Nursing Skills for Australian Nurses. pp. 233-252