Preventive Intervention for Children with Cancer and Their Families at the End-of-Life

Preventive intervention, based on a theoretical model of crisis denoted as the Perceived Personal Control Crisis model, is discussed with respect to pediatric cancer patients at the end-of-life and their families. In this article, the emphasis is on preventive intervention on the Personal Interaction level, namely intervention administered by a network of natural and organized support systems, such as parents and the primary care physician, nurses, and mental health professionals, with special emphasis on the role of the mental health expert. The objective of preventive intervention is to enhance the quality of life of children with cancer at the end-of-life and allow them to die well without unnecessary pain and fear, surrounded by their loved ones, in hospital or, preferably, at home. The objective of preventive intervention for parents and siblings is to ease their grief process, ensure a healthy resolution and safeguard the integrity of the family after the death of the child.