Is it early enough? The authentic meaning of the pediatric palliative approach between early and late referral in pediatric oncology: a case study

Is it early enough? The authentic meaning of the pediatric palliative approach between early and late referral in pediatric oncology: a case study
Frontiers in Oncology; by Anna Santini, Irene Avagnina, Maria C Affinita, Anna Zanin, Franca Benini; 7/24
The literature widely supports the benefits of early integration of palliative care into pediatric oncological care; however, many barriers to its successful integration remain. Integrating palliative care as early as possible in the oncology pathway is critical, but other criteria are relevant to positive results. This paper aims to contribute to the early/late referral dualism in pediatric palliative care (PPC) and highlight the importance of a collaborative approach between oncologists and palliative care teams. This study investigates the impact of early versus late referral to PPC, intersecting it with the synergy work between services and the related outcomes.