TRAC-PG Parent Research Initiative
This section is dedicated to the TRAC-PG Parent Research Initiative. The TRAC-PG Pediatric Palliative Care Research Symposium was a great jumping off point for bereaved parents and researchers to begin putting their heads together with new and innovative research ideas. This page will keep track of the parents who have shared an interest in being a part of the research process, as well as some of the wonderful ideas parents have generated for future possibilities with research. Anyone who is interested in becoming involved in the TRAC-PG Parent Research Initiative can visit the Get Involved section on the website.
Research Initiatives:
A “continuing relationship” with a deceased child (What does that mean? If parents do have a continuing relationship, how does it look? What impact does it have on their grief/lives/other relationships. If they do not, why not? How many bereaved parents feel that they have a continued relationship with their deceased children? Is it possible; is it a valid coping strategy to teach other bereaved parents how to develop relationships with their deceased children?)
Palliative care in the ICUs
Earlier introduction of families to PC
Streamlining transitions home for parents who wish this
Hospital and Foundation wide inclusion of palliative and deceased children in messaging including a regular hospital wide memorial and the institutional/cultural barriers to all these efforts
A parent bereavement support group associated with the hospital
We need to understand cultural, religious (formal), spiritual and social norms around death and bereavement for all families at Sick Kids
Has there been a survey of medical departmental attitudes and understanding of Palliative Care Services? Is there an internal education program and awareness-raising process? Is there sufficient input from the medics on Palliative committees and research groups? Do we have champions in each department (in an ambassador role)? If not, what would be the process for breaking down the walls? Are we represented in the orientation programs for new staff? Are we teaching student groups?
How do we get more staff, resources and services, so that the work can expand appropriately? What partnerships would we need to make? Have we done a comparison with other centres, to check that we are making the most of the resources we have?
