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Review
. 2018 Feb 26;5(3):32.
doi: 10.3390/children5030032.

Emerging Methodologies in Pediatric Palliative Care Research: Six Case Studies

Katherine E Nelson  1   2 , James A Feinstein  3   4 , Cynthia A Gerhardt  5   6 , Abby R Rosenberg  7   8 , Kimberley Widger  9   10 , Jennifer A Faerber  11 , Chris Feudtner  12   13
Affiliations
Review

Emerging Methodologies in Pediatric Palliative Care Research: Six Case Studies

Katherine E Nelson et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Given the broad focus of pediatric palliative care (PPC) on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children with potentially life-limiting illnesses and their families, PPC research requires creative methodological approaches. This manuscript, written by experienced PPC researchers, describes issues encountered in our own areas of research and the novel methods we have identified to target them. Specifically, we discuss potential approaches to: assessing symptoms among nonverbal children, evaluating medical interventions, identifying and treating problems related to polypharmacy, addressing missing data in longitudinal studies, evaluating longer-term efficacy of PPC interventions, and monitoring for inequities in PPC service delivery.

Keywords: outcomes; pediatric palliative care; research methods.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. No funding sources played any role in the conception, drafting, or review of this article.

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