Table 2.
Characteristics of Palliative Care Programs
| Characteristics | n (%) |
|---|---|
| Oncology cases (annual) | n = 142 (100) |
| 1–50 | 30 (21.1) |
| 51–100 | 38 (26.8) |
| 101–150 | 25 (17.6) |
| >150 | 49 (34.5) |
| Location | n = 141 (99) |
| Midwest USA | 38 (27) |
| Southern USA | 30 (21.3) |
| Western USA | 24 (17) |
| Northeastern USA | 20 (14.2) |
| Asia | 9 (6.4) |
| South America | 8 (5.7) |
| Africa | 6 (4.3) |
| Canada | 4 (2.8) |
| Europe | 2 (1.4) |
| Access to pediatric-specific palliative care providers | n = 142 (100) |
| Yes | 107 (53.4) |
| Pediatric provider but no pediatric program | 21 (14.8) |
| No | 10 (7) |
| Adult program covers pediatric needs | 4 (2.8) |
| Longevity of PPC program | n = 116 (81.7) |
| <5 years ago | 32 (27.6) |
| 6–10 years ago | 44 (37.9) |
| 11–20 years ago | 31 (26.7) |
| >20 years ago | 2 (1.7) |
| Not sure | 7 (6) |
| Palliative care team structurea | n = 120 (84.5) |
| Physician | 112 (93.3) |
| Nurse practitioner | 88 (73.3) |
| Social worker | 82 (68.3) |
| Registered nurse | 74 (61.7) |
| Chaplain | 67 (55.8) |
| Child-life specialist | 49 (40.8) |
| Administrative assistant | 41 (34.2) |
| Psychologist | 40 (33.3) |
| Case manager | 24 (20) |
| Art therapist | 23 (19.2) |
| Pharmacist | 23 (19.2) |
| Massage therapist | 14 (11.7) |
| Psychiatrist | 9 (7.5) |
| Availability of palliative care servicesa | n = 120 (84.5) |
| Outpatient consultation | 93 (77.5) |
| Home hospice (not affiliated with pediatric hospital) | 70 (58.3) |
| Inpatient consultation—day hours only | 66 (55) |
| Inpatient consultation—24/7 coverage | 53 (44.2) |
| Consultation care—home setting | 51 (42.5) |
| Home hospice (affiliated with pediatric hospital) | 22 (18.3) |
| Other | 17 (14.2) |
| Palliative care inpatient unit at pediatric hospital | 9 (7.5) |
| AYA program | n = 116 (81.7) |
| No | 48 (41.4) |
| Yes | 41 (35.3) |
| Not sure | 27 (23.3) |
| Pain team coverage | n = 116 (81.7) |
| Separate from palliative care service | 64 (55.2) |
| Part of palliative care service | 26 (22.4) |
| No pain team | 26 (22.4) |
a
More than one response allowed for this question.
PPC, pediatric palliative care.