Essentials Book 7: Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice 

Comprehensive guidance for interdisciplinary care from diagnosis through bereavement 

The fully updated edition of Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice delivers a comprehensive, evidence‑based guide for clinicians supporting infants, children, adolescents, and their families from diagnosis through end of life and bereavement. 

This book emphasizes patient‑ and family‑centered and goal‑concordant care, equipping clinicians with practical tools to navigate complex decision‑making, communicate effectively across developmental stages, and align treatments with the child’s voice and family values. 

New in This Edition 

• Updated epidemiology and risk profiles for childhood mortality, including firearm injury, overdose, and congenital and genetic conditions
• Expanded interdisciplinary team guidance, highlighting the roles of child life specialists, psychologists, educators, and home‑based providers 
• Enhanced communication frameworks, including SPIKES and REMAP, for shared decision‑making and age‑appropriate conversations 
• Comprehensive symptom management tables, addressing pain and non‑pain symptoms with updated pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic strategies 
• Expanded ethics and decision‑making guidance, including the Harm Principle and Zone of Parental Discretion 
• Updated policy and reimbursement content, including concurrent care under ACA Section 2302 
• Expanded coverage of perinatal palliative care, addressing neonatal trajectories, family counseling, and coordinated obstetric–neonatal planning 

How This Book Strengthens Your Clinical Practice 

• Deliver family‑centered pediatric care across perinatal, childhood, and adolescent illness trajectories  
• Apply practical tools to provide patient‑centered, values‑aligned care, even amid prognostic uncertainty  
• Lead complex communication, advance care planning, and shared decision‑making with children and families  
• Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams, using clearly defined roles and pediatric care models  
• Navigate complex ethical decisions with confidence when families face emotionally challenging choices  
• Improve symptom management, psychosocial support, and bereavement care for pediatric patients and their families 

Authored and Edited by Leaders in the Field 
Developed by nationally recognized experts in pediatric palliative medicine, ethics, nursing, social work, and interdisciplinary care, Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice reflects the latest evidence, clinical experience, and best practices shaping pediatric palliative and hospice care today. 

Part of the AAHPM Essential Practices in Hospice and Palliative Medicine Series 
A trusted, evidence-based resource for hospice and palliative clinicians. 

Explore the full 9-book series: Essential Practices in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (Full Book Set)