Pediatric Palliative Care in Iran: Applying Regionalization of Health Care Systems

Khanali Mojen, Leila; Rassouli, Maryam; Eshghi, Peyman; Zendedel, Kazem; Akbari Sari, Ali; Heravi Karimooi, Majideh; Tahmasebi, Mamak; Shirin Abadi Farahani, Azam

doi:10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.5.1303

Pediatric Palliative Care in Iran: Applying Regionalization of Health Care Systems

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mofid Children Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

³ Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

⁴ Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

⁵ Department of Pediatric, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.5.1303

Abstract

Background: Establishing palliative care services is a priority in the health system of Iran. Considering the necessity
of integrating these services into the health system, this study aimed to explore the stakeholders’ perceptions about the
provision of a conceptual framework for palliative care services for children with cancer according to the health system
in of Iran. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews held
with 29 participants including palliative care specialists, policy-makers, health care providers, the parents of children
with cancer selected through purposive sampling, between August 2016 and February 2017. Interviews continued
until saturation of data. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using MAXQDA10 software. Results:
The codes extracted from interviews produced the main theme “ classes of palliative care services” with the two main
categories “comprehensive care” including, strengthening family shelter, maintaining the child in a familiar environment,
achieving stability and “establishing social justice” including, easy access to services, financial relief and quality care.
Conclusion: Presenting a framework based on level of palliative care services, the findings of this study paves the way
for integrating these services into Iranian health system.

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