Abstract

Aim: Palliative care and physiotherapy share common goals and therapeutic approaches. The aim of this study was to discuss the relationship between the rehabilitation interventions in pediatric palliative care and their real effectiveness in the view of parents and professionals.

Material and methods: The survey was based on a self-administered questionnaire that has been designed to be completed by three groups of respondents: the first – 20 parents of children with life-limiting conditions, the second – 10 members of pediatric interdisciplinary home hospice team, and the third – 30 physiotherapists with no professional experience for palliative medicine.

Results: Respondents confirm the effectiveness of palliative rehabilitation and its beneficial effect on improving the basic life functions, comfort and quality of life. However, parents do not notice the positive impact on chronic disease progression so often as professionals do. Professionals recognize physiotherapists as important members of palliative care team. However, a third of them value individual methods of working. Physiotherapists are selfaware of their lack of proper education and experience.

Conclusion: Pediatric palliative care serves children of any age with many life-limiting disease. Rehabilitation seems to be a very important part of such activity for children, parents and for professionals. All of them might benefit most from further dissemination of research and practice.

Adres: dr med. Aleksandra Modlinska
Zakład Medycyny Paliatywnej GUMed
ul. Dębinki 2, 80-211 Gdańsk
e-mail: aleksandra.modlinska@gumed.edu.pl
tel. 58 349 1573