Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39001668›Full record

ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2025

The role of 'familiarity' and 'normality' in supporting transition to end of life care in paediatric oncology: A qualitative study.

Daniel Kelly, Mia Closs, Rachel McAndrew, Pam Smith

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Daniel KellySchool of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1847-0655
Mia ClossUsher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4642-8745
Rachel McAndrewRoyal Hospital for Children and Young People, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK.
Pam SmithDepartment of Nursing Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7660-0289

Funding

Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Endowment FundThe Edinburgh and Lothians' Health Foundation Fund
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThe aim of this study was to explore factors that helped when a child with cancer transitioned to end of life care in a hospital setting.

designQualitative exploratory design using reflexive thematic analysis.

methodsIn-depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 7 sets of bereaved parents and 10 health professionals from one specialist paediatric oncology centre. Results were shared with professionals to help shape services in a new children's hospital.

resultsThree themes were identified: 'change and facing the unknown', 'the comfort of feeling normal' and 'knowing and being known'. Bereaved parents described a gradual awareness of the deterioration of their child's condition and the need for trust in health professionals. Professionals described the process as challenging but were guided by the needs of children and parents. Supportive and trusting relationships with professionals helped parents to cope with the transition.

conclusionWe identified practices that helped create a culture that supported parents and professionals involved in caring for children facing death from cancer. These were rooted in feeling supported and working to provide the best end of life care for children. SUMMARY STATEMENT: Given that the death of a child is a uniquely challenging event, this study indicates that the clinical setting can assist via the promotion of familiarity (supporting families over time) and normality (allowing family-focused activities). These were helpful to parents and to professionals. However, professionals need emotional support when working with these families. REPORTING

methodThe study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The project steering group included one bereaved parent (who was not involved in the study), one consultant paediatric oncologist and one hospital chaplain.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsParentsTerminal CareAdolescentAdultBereavementChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProfessional-Family RelationsQualitative Researchchildhood canceremotionsend of lifefamilysupportive caretransition

Identifiers

PMID39001668
PMCPMC11810487

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.