Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40597053›Full record

ArticleBMC palliative care2025

Exploring pediatric palliative care in Luxembourg: a mixed-methods study.

Micha Massaad, Julia Downing, Emilie Allard, Marie Friedel

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC palliative care, 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. Review
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.

Micha MassaadFaculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2, place de l'Université, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4365, Luxembourg. micha.massaad@uni.lu.
Julia DowningChief Executive International Children's Palliative Care Network, Bristol, UK.
Emilie AllardFaculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Centre-ville Station, PO Box 6128, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada.
Marie FriedelFaculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 2, place de l'Université, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4365, Luxembourg.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAn estimated 170,000 children in the WHO European Region have no access to palliative care annually. In Luxembourg, there is a lack of data on children needing palliative care, and the existing structure appears limited. This study aims to assess the current state of pediatric palliative care in Luxembourg.

methodsWe used a parallel convergent mixed-methods approach, collecting qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously and analyzing them independently. Snowball and purposive sampling methods were employed. The qualitative data, including documents, email correspondence, and open-ended interviews with participants caring for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, followed the COREQ guidelines and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

resultsThe analysis highlights a significant gap in the provision of care at all levels of pediatric palliative care in Luxembourg. Approximately 500 to 600 children up to 19 years old require palliative care each year, which exceeds previous estimates. Existing legal frameworks are predominantly designed for adults and end-of-life care, and do not sufficiently address the holistic needs of children requiring palliative care and their families. Homecare services are in the early development phase, and specialized pediatric palliative care options are limited across all levels. A pediatric palliative care course, set to be introduced in 2025 for university pediatric nursing students as outlined in the national plan, aims to address some of these gaps by developing competencies. However, until sufficient specialized care is established, many children are transferred to neighboring countries where there are better resources and expertise or remain at home, receiving limited services.

conclusionThis study presents, for the first time, data on pediatric palliative care in Luxembourg, with a focus on service availability, the legal framework, and the estimated number of children requiring care. The findings highlight the urgent need for a structured pediatric palliative care service to address this country's growing demand and unmet needs. In addition, it is essential to support the implementation of the "National Plan for End of Life and Palliative Care" from 2023 to 2026, which includes a dedicated focus on children.

Indexed as

Palliative CarePediatricsAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantInterviews as TopicLuxembourgMaleQualitative ResearchChildrenHealth policiesLife-limiting conditionsLife-threatening conditionsLuxembourgPaediatric palliative carePalliative care servicesPediatric palliative care

Identifiers

PMID40597053
PMCPMC12210549

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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.