Effective Communication in Pediatric Palliative Care: A Systematic Review of Parents' and Children's Perspectives.

Authors

L la Rondelle, M C Kars, J Brunetta, S C C M Teunissen, J L Aris-Meijer, I M L Ahout, J C Fahner, M Engel

Published in

Academic pediatrics. Pages 103751. Nov 06, 2026. Epub Nov 06, 2026.

Abstract

Effective communication is fundamental in pediatric palliative care (PPC), enabling children and parents to share their needs and preferences with healthcare professionals (HCPs). However, they often perceive communication as suboptimal.
This systematic review explores the perspectives of children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and their parents, to help determine how HCPs can communicate effectively with them.
PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL.
Empirical studies (2016-May 2026) on parents' and children's experiences with verbal and non-verbal communication in PPC by HCPs, including attitudes, behaviors, and interventions.
Data were analyzed thematically.
Eighty-six publications were included describing perspectives from parents (n=67), parents and children (n=18), and children (n=1), covering general PPC communication or communication about diagnosis, prognosis, advance care planning, or end-of-life care. Parents and children identified three important elements for communication with HCPs: 1. Information aspects; 2. Interaction with family; and 3. Facilitating parents to fulfill the parental role. Attention to and respect for the environment and resilience of parents and children enhance trust, strengthen the bond between families and HCPs, create space for hope, and provide control and support.
Fewer child perspectives, little distinction between clinician roles, limited cultural generalizability.
Throughout the disease trajectory, parents and children emphasize the importance of a tailored, person-centered approach to communication. Further research on interventions supporting HCPs to communicate effectively with children and parents can contribute to higher-quality PPC.
PROSPERO number CRD42024492537.

PMID:
42994686
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Nov 2026.

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