Not as many young people develop life limiting illness compared to older people, however their distinctive needs impact greatly on care and outcomes. Their unique medical, psychosocial and social needs require nurses to have proactive and appropriate knowledge and skills.

Resources

• Resource from Palliative Care Australia Journeys – palliative care for children and adolescents 
• WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network: Paediatric and Adolescent Palliative Care Model of Care
• Cancer Australia’s Cancer Learning project has information on Adolescents and Young Adults 
• The World Health Organisation 3 by 5 Initiative for HIV/ AIDS has Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness Modules 
• onTrac@PeterMac – Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service
• The Royal Australasian College of Physicians has National Standards for the Care of Children and Adolescents in Health Services (2008)
• The General Medical Council in the UK has produced a guidance for doctors that includes relevant information: Treatment and Care Towards the End of Life – Good practice in decision-making.
• The Centre for Adolescent Health offers a postgraduate certificate program on AYA cancer care/oncology. It has a multidisciplinary focus and is offered vi a a combination of distance education and online learning.

Related CareSearch Pages

Nurses Hub
Paediatrics
Neonates

Clinical Practice
Paediatrics

For Patients and Families
Paediatrics

CareSearch Review Collection
Children
Paediatrics

PubMed Topic Search
Paediatrics

CNIN Information Sheet
Children and Palliative Care

Free Full Text Article

George R, Craig F. Palliative care for young people with cancer. CancerForum. 2009 Mar;33(1):28-33.

Freyer DR. Care of the dying adolescent: special considerations. Pediatrics. 2004 Feb;113(2):381-8.

References

• Wein S, Pery S, Zer A. Role of palliative care in adolescent and young adult oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Nov 10;28(32):4819-24. Epub 2010 Mar 8.
• Knapp C, Quinn GP, Murphy D, Brown R, Madden V. Adolescents with life-threatening illnesses. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2010 Mar;27(2):139-44. Epub 2010 Jan 22.
• Lemmens C. End- of- life decisions and minors: do minors have the right to refuse life preserving medical treatment? a comparative study. Med Law. 2009 Sep;28(3):479-97.
• George R, Hutton S. Palliative care in adolescents. Eur J Cancer. 2003 Dec;39(18):2662-8. 

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This page was created on 27 August 2010
Last updated 28 September 2010