When to Call Us

For Medical Providers

When should a medical team consider a pediatric palliative care consultation?

• For pain (or other symptoms) that don’t respond to simple measures
• For support of a child and family with an anticipated difficult course (e.g., a newly diagnosed child with cancer, an extremely premature infant, an infant with a serious cardiac abnormality)
• For discussion with a child, family and medical team what the goals, priorities and values of the family are and what medical interventions can help to meet those goals
• When a fresh perspective is needed by family and/or staff
• For the difficult transition from curative to purely comfort care
• To support staff in dealing with challenging patients and families

For Families

When should a family consider asking for a pediatric palliative care consultation?

• When your child is having pain or other symptoms for which current approaches are not working
• If your child has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and you would like an additional layer of support to help with symptoms, communication and navigating the health care system
• When there are hard decisions to make and you are just not sure what to do (for example, a new medication, putting in a feeding tube, doing a tracheostomy)
• For help understanding the medical situation and making sure you are getting the same message about what’s going on from everyone who takes care of you
• If you would just like an extra shoulder to lean on