Justin N. Baker, MD, chief, Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care, attending physician, Quality of Life Service, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, discusses integrating palliative care into the treatment of pediatric oncology.

Palliative care is coming of age in pediatric oncology, says Baker. If palliative care is integrated early, it is much easier for patients and families to emphasize quality of life and recognize good days during treatment. Baker says that it is better and easier than what is traditionally done, which is a hard stop when curative treatment fails, and then a complete switch to palliative care. It is not good for the oncology team, the palliative care team, and most of all, it is not good for the patient or their family, he explains.

Integration is happening earlier at most institutions, which is great for patients, families, palliative care teams, and for the pediatric oncology team, as well. Taking on all the factors of palliative care at once is too much, Baker says, and specialty teams need to work together hand in hand. These partnerships make a difference in patient’s lives, as well as their families’ lives, Baker concludes.

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Justin N. Baker, MD, chief, Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care, attending physician, Quality of Life Service, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, discusses integrating palliative care into the treatment of pediatric oncology.
 

Dr. Baker on Integrating Palliative Care into Pediatric Oncology

Justin N. Baker, MD, chief, Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care, attending physician, Quality of Life Service, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, discusses approaching palliative care for children with cancer.

Palliative care for children with cancer is inherently multidisciplinary, says Baker. A holistic approach must be taken with palliative or end-of-life care, which requires an entire team. This team will address issues related to suffering. Baker says that suffering is the antithesis of palliative care, just as the enemy of oncology is cancer. A child with cancer not only goes through physical symptoms, but psychosocial distress, spiritual and existential distress, and psychological distress.

A team approach looks all at angles of end-of-life care, which includes being there for the family of the child. Addressing the needs of the child, as well as the family who must re-enter the community, are ways that a team-based palliative care approach should operate, Baker says. This is a very complex part of cancer care, and cannot be done by 1 individual, making a team-based multidisciplinary approach imperative.

Dr. Baker on Approaching Palliative Care for Children With Cancer

Justin N. Baker, MD, chief, Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care, attending physician, Quality of Life Service, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, discusses the importance of symptom management in children with cancer.

The evolution of symptom management and end-of-life care for pediatric patients with cancer has been rapid in the last 5 to 10 years. This is a very complex patient population, Baker explains. About 20% of children with cancer will die of their disease, making the management of their symptoms at the end of their lives very important.

Importantly, oncologists need to be well versed in symptom management, relationship-based care, and have excellent communication skills, Baker says. This not only makes a difference for the patient, but for the parents and oncology team. It is imperative to make every day count, and to be there for the parents during the bereavement period as well, Baker says.

Justin N. Baker, MD, chief, Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care, attending physician, Quality of Life Service, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, discusses the importance of symptom management in children with cancer.
 

Justin N. Baker, MD

Articles

Dr. Baker on Integrating Palliative Care into Pediatric Oncology

Dr. Baker on Approaching Palliative Care for Children With Cancer

Dr. Baker on the Importance of Symptom Management in Children With Cancer