Palliative Care Education for Pediatric Critical Care Trainees: A Scoping Review and a Call to Action

Abstract

Objective

Review the current teaching methods, curricula, and assessment tools for pediatric palliative care (PPC) within the pediatrics intensive care setting for pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) trainees as it pertains to the following domains: (1) Symptom management, (2) Communication, (3) Spiritual/Psychosocial, (4) End of Life (EOL).

Data Sources

PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched for articles reporting on PPC educational curricula or interventions for residents and fellows in pediatric intensive care settings. The search strategy used a combination of MeSH terms and keywords to search for items that addressed intensive care, pediatrics, palliative care, residents or fellows, and education.

Study Selection

Curricula that includes PCCM trainees (fellows and residents) nationally and internationally.

Data Extraction

Covidence.

Data Synthesis

Of 105 articles reviewed, 6 articles addressed PPC education in the PICU between 2015 and 2025. All 6 articles were United States-based and included simulation curricula focused on communication regarding EOL care. Evaluation tools varied across articles. There is a paucity of data around complex symptom management, communication on topics other than EOL, and spiritual and psychosocial education.

Conclusions

Simulation focused on communication and EOL care is frequently used to teach PPC knowledge and skills to PCCM fellows and residents. Currently varied evaluation methods exist with limited PPC domains. This review highlights the need for future PPC curricula development for PCCM trainees.