The ICPCN subscribes to the World Health Organization's definition of Palliative Care for Children, as can be found on their website at: http://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en/
We have asked members to translate the WHO definition into other languages for ease of access but would like to stress that while these translations have been done by ICPCN members working in the field, the ICPCN cannot guarantee their absolute accuracy.
Should you wish to query or comment on any translation found on this site, please send an email to our Information Officer at info@icpcn.co.za
The WHO Definition of Children's Palliative Care
Palliative care for children represents a special, albeit closely related field to adult palliative care. WHO’s definition of palliative care appropriate for children and their families is as follows; the principles apply to other paediatric chronic disorders (WHO; 1998a):- Palliative care for children is the active total care of the child's body, mind and spirit, and also involves giving support to the family.
- It begins when illness is diagnosed, and continues regardless of whether or not a child receives treatment directed at the disease.
- Health providers must evaluate and alleviate a child's physical, psychological, and social distress.
- Effective palliative care requires a broad multidisciplinary approach that includes the family and makes use of available community resources; it can be successfully implemented even if resources are limited.
- It can be provided in tertiary care facilities, in community health centres and even in children's homes.
The ICPCN also acknowledges the validity of the following definitions:
The ACT Definition of Children's Palliative Care
“Palliative care for children and young people with life limiting conditions is an active and total approach to care, from the point of diagnosis or recognition, throughout the child’s life, death and beyond. It embraces physical, emotional, social and spiritual elements and focuses on the enhancement of quality of life for the child/young person and support for the family. It includes the management of distressing symptoms, provision of short breaks and care through death and bereavement.”ACT, UK 2008
Click here to learn more about ACT
The NHPCO Definition of Pediatric Palliative Care
Pediatric palliative care is both a philosophy of care and an organized program for delivering care to children* with life-threatening conditions. This care focuses on enhancing quality of life for the child and family, minimizing suffering, optimizing functions, and providing opportunities for personal growth. As such, it can be concurrent with life-prolonging care or as the main focus of care. Pediatric palliative care is achieved through a combination of active and compassionate therapies intended to comfort and support the child, as well as family members and other significant people in the child’s life. Effective management of pain and other distressing symptoms, together with psychosocial and spiritual care are of critical importance beginning at diagnosis and continuing throughout the entire course of a child’s life and beyond. Therapies should take a holistic approach, assisting children and families in fulfilling their physical, psychological, social and spiritual goals while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural and religious values, beliefs and practices. Pediatric palliative care affirms life by supporting the child’s and family’s goals for the future and hopes for cure or life prolongation. This type of care neither hastens nor postpones death; instead, it aims to guide and assist the child and family in making decisions that enable them to work towards their goals during whatever time they have remaining.Pediatric palliative care is planned and delivered through the collaborative efforts of an interdisciplinary team including the child, family and caregivers. Effective pediatric palliative care also provides support for caregivers, allowing them to work through their own reactions to the situations they encounter and the care they are providing.
* “Children” refers to fetuses, infants, children and adolescents.
Click here to learn more of the NHPCO and CHiPPS Executive Committee
World Health Organization's Definition of Palliative Care for Children
ENGLISH
Palliative care for children represents a special, albeit closely related field to adult palliative care. WHO’s definition of palliative care appropriate for children and their families is as follows; the principles apply to other paediatric chronic disorders (WHO; 1998a):- Palliative care for children is the active total care of the child's body, mind and spirit, and also involves giving support to the family.
- It begins when illness is diagnosed, and continues regardless of whether or not a child receives treatment directed at the disease.
- Health providers must evaluate and alleviate a child's physical, psychological, and social distress.
- Effective palliative care requires a broad multidisciplinary approach that includes the family and makes use of available community resources; it can be successfully implemented even if resources are limited.
- It can be provided in tertiary care facilities, in community health centres and even in children's homes.
AFRIKAANS
“Palliatiewe sorg vir kinders is die aktiewe, omvattende sorg van die kind se liggaam, siel en verstand, en sluit ook die versorging van die gesin in. Dit neem ‘n aanvang wanneer die siekte gediagnoseer word en gaan voort, ongeag daarvan of die kind behandeling ontvang wat gemik is op die siekte. Gesondheidsversorgers moet die kind se fisiese, sielkundige en sosiale nood evalueer en verlig. Effektiewe palliatiewe sorg vereis ‘n breë multidissiplinêre aanslag wat die gesin insluit en gebruik maak van beskikbare hulpbronne in die gemeenskap; dit kan met groot sukses geïmplementeer word, selfs al is hierdie hulpbronne beperk. Dit kan voorsien word in tersiêre sorg-fasiliteite, in gemeenskaps-gesondheidsentrums, asook in kinders se ouerhuise.”Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie 2002
NORWEGIAN
WHOs definisjon på palliativ behandling passende for barn og deres familie er som følger:
Prinsipielt søkes det mot andre pedriatiske, kroniske sykdommer.Palliativ behandling for barn er den optimale behandling av barnets kropp, hjerne og eksistensielle behov, og det involverer også å gi støtte til familien. Behandlingen begynner når diagnosen er stilt, og fortsetter selv om barnet ikke får behandling direkte rettet mot sykdommen. Helsepersonellet må evaluere og lindre barnets fysiske, psykologiske og sosiale lidelser.
Effektiv palliativ behandling krever en bred tverrfaglig tilnærming som inkluderer familien og gjøre nytte av tilgjengelig kommunale resurser. Dette kan bli implementert selv om resurssene er begrenset, det kan gis i kompetansesentre, i samfunnet helsestasjoner og i barnets hjem.
PORTUGUESE
“Os cuidados paliativos para crianças são o cuidado total do corpo, mente e espírito da criança e envolvem também o cuidado da família. Começa quando a doença é diagnosticada e continua independentemente de uma criança receber tratamento directo para a doença. Os prestadores de cuidados de saúde têm de avaliar e aliviar o sofrimento físico, psicológico e social da criança. Os cuidados paliativos efectivos requerem uma abordagem multidisciplinar abrangente, que inclui a família, e utilizam todos os recursos da comunidade disponíveis; podem ser implementados com sucesso mesmo quando os recursos são limitados. Podem ser fornecidos em instalações de cuidados terciárias, em centros de saúde comunitários e nas residências das crianças.”
Organização Mundial de Saúde 2002
RUSSIAN
“Паллиативная помощь детям – это активная, всесторонняя забота о теле ребенка, его психике и душе, а также поддержка членов его семьи. Она начинается с момента установления диагноза и продолжается в течение всего периода заболевания, в том числе на фоне проводимого радикального лечения. Специалисты, оказывающие помощь, должны провести оценку и облегчить физические, психологические и социальные страдания ребенка. Для обеспечения эффективности паллиативной помощи необхода реализация широкого мультидисциплинарного подхода, при этом в оказании помощи принимают участие члены семьи ребенка и используются общественные ресурсы; помощь может осуществляться успешно даже при ограниченных ресурсах. Она может быть организована в учреждениях третичной медицинской помощи, в общественных центрах здоровья и даже в детских домах”.Всемирная организация здравоохранения, 2002г.
Translator: Dr Elena Vvedenskaya
SPANISH
“El cuidado paliativo para niños es el cuidado activo, total del cuerpo, mente y espíritu del niño, y también abarca el cuidado ofrecido a la familia. Empieza cuando se diagnostica la enfermedad y continúa independientemente de que el niño reciba un tratamiento orientado hacia su enfermedad. Los agentes sanitarios deberán evaluar y aliviar los dolores físicos, psicológicos y sociales de los niños. El cuidado paliativo eficaz exige un amplio enfoque multidisciplinario que incluye la familia y utiliza los recursos disponibles de la comunidad; puede implementarse con éxito incluso cuando los recursos sean limitados. Puede ofrecerse en instalaciones de cuidados terciarios, en centros sanitarios públicos y en los hogares de los niños”.Organización Mundial de la Salud 2002
