Decision-making experiences of health professionals in withdrawing treatment for children and young people: A qualitative study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors that influence professionals in deciding whether to withdraw treatment from a child and how decision-making is managed amongst professionals as an individual and as a team. STUDY DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of health professionals working at a UK Children’s Hospital, with children with life-limiting illnesses whose treatment has been withdrawn. Data was transcribed verbatim, anonymised, and analysed using a thematic framework method. RESULT(S): A total of fifteen participants were interviewed. Five interrelated themes with associated subthemes were generated to help understand the experiences of health professionals in decision-making on withdrawing a child’s treatment: 1) Understanding the Child’s Best Interests (2) Multidisciplinary Approach (3) External Factors (4) Psychological Wellbeing (5) Recommendations to Support Shared Decision-making. CONCLUSION(S): A shared decision-making approach should be adopted to support professionals, children, and their families to make decisions collectively. Copyright This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.