Development of a logic model to support a network approach in delivering 24/7 children’s palliative care: part one

Abstract

AIM: This research aimed to develop and evaluate a 24/7 symptom-management service for children with life-limiting conditions and a model for palliative care nursing. STUDY DESIGN: A combination of audit and qualitative and quantitative evaluation. SAMPLE AND SETTING: A consultant nurse-led service (n=5 clinical nurse specialists) provided care and support to children and their families, which spanned a range of settings (home, hospital, hospice) supported by a managed clinical network of consultant paediatricians (n=4) with postgraduate expertise in palliative care. METHODS: A pluralistic evaluation was conducted where the predefined service standards were audited and the predetermined service objectives were evaluated using daily diary data from the nursing team (micro), qualitative and quantitative survey data of stakeholders using the service (mezzo) and family assessment of children’s palliative care (CPC) standards across the CPC network (macro).