What do parents want to know when considering autopsy for their child with cancer? Journal Article

   


Authors: Wiener, L.; Sweeney, C.; Baird, K.; Merchant, M. S.; Warren, K. E.; Corner, G. W.; Roberts, K. E.; Lichtenthal, W. G.
Article Title: What do parents want to know when considering autopsy for their child with cancer?
Abstract: Research has suggested that autopsy in pediatrics is a valued way for parents to better understand and process their child's death, yet physicians often express hesitancy in discussing this topic with parents. To better assist clinicians with initiating discussion about this often sensitive topic, the current study examined bereaved parents' preferences about the timing and content of the autopsy discussion as well as reasons for considering autopsy. This study explored the views of 30 parents who lost a child to a variety of malignancies between 6 months and 6 years ago. Results showed that 36.7% of parents recalled having a discussion about autopsy, and the vast majority of those who did not recall a discussion (89.5%) would have considered an autopsy if it had been discussed. The majority of participants in this study indicated their preference to have the first conversation about autopsy when it becomes clear that cure is no longer possible. Findings suggest that educating parents about the clinical, emotional, and potential research benefits of autopsy and tissue procurement will ultimately help them make informed decisions and understand the importance of autopsy in medical progress. The future research and clinical implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2014 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Keywords: adult; patient education; childhood cancer; questionnaire; length of stay; bereavement; attitude to illness; patient decision making; physician attitude; autopsy; pediatric oncology; cultural factor; emotional stress; end of life; child health care; parental attitude; human; male; female; priority journal; article; child death; postmortem examination
Journal Title: Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Volume: 36
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1077-4114
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2014-08-01
Start Page: 464
End Page: 470
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000000078
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC4045660
PUBMED: 24309611
DOI/URL:

http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84905089033&partnerID=40&md5=46b15ed2198d087c2da8262a28f625ba
Notes: Export Date: 2 September 2014 -- CODEN: JPHOF -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Kailey Erin Roberts
    42 Roberts
  2. Wendy Gail Lichtenthal
    119 Lichtenthal
  3. Geoffrey Winston Corner
    19 Corner
  4. Corinne Raphel Sweeney
    17 Sweeney
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