The Lack of Systematic Training for Health Care Providers, A Challenge for Providing Pediatric Palliative Home Care: A Comparative Study

Abstract

<strong><em>Background: </em></strong>The growing prevalence of chronic diseases in children has increased their need for palliative care. We aimed to compare pediatric palliative care and home care training in Iran and in the selected countries.<br /> <strong><em>Materials and Methods: </em></strong>This comparative study was conducted based on the classifications of palliative care for children and using databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, Ovid, ProQuest and Medline, websites affiliated with communities and associated with palliative care and home care services and according to the framework of World Health Organization's Public Health Road Map. The selected countries consist of England, Canada, Australia and South Africa, where home care services are provided for children in addition to palliative care.<br /> <strong><em>Results</em></strong><br /> There is a pediatric palliative care training program for doctors in the selected countries. Home care is part of these programs in these countries. Despite the lack of an independent nursing course in postgraduate education in England, Canada, and Australia, community health nurses are responsible for providing care responsible to provide care for children with life-threatening diseases in the community and at home. In South Africa, a home-based palliative care training and support package for children was designed for community care workers. In Iran, pediatric palliative care is in the early stages and home care is evolving as a need.<br /> <strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><br /> Education is the most important factor for integrating home care and pediatric palliative care into the health system. In countries with advanced pediatric palliative care, the knowledge and skills of care providers have been considered. In Iran, revising medical and nursing curriculums and the integration of palliative care and home care programs into the curriculum are essential.