Pain perception and attitudes toward life-sustaining treatment in pediatric patients with disorders of consciousness: a survey of Chinese healthcare professionals - Report - MDSpire
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Pain perception and attitudes toward life-sustaining treatment in pediatric patients with disorders of consciousness: a survey of Chinese healthcare professionals
Attitudes of Chinese Healthcare Professionals on Pain Perception and Life-Sustaining Treatment
Overview
This study explores the attitudes of Chinese healthcare professionals (HCPs) towards pain perception and life-sustaining treatment (LST) in pediatric patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC).
Background
Managing pain and life-sustaining treatment for pediatric patients with disorders of consciousness presents unique neuroethical dilemmas. The complexity of medical decision-making in this population is heightened by their inability to communicate and the emotional bonds of family members.
Data Highlights
Context
Support for LST Limitation
UWS (Third-Person)
52.1%
MCS (Third-Person)
31.6%
UWS (First-Person)
34.0%
MCS (First-Person)
18.7%
Pain Perception Endorsement (MCS)
89.9%
Pain Perception Endorsement (UWS)
65.1%
Key Findings
52.1% of HCPs supported limiting LST for UWS in third-person contexts.
Support for LST limitation dropped to 34.0% in first-person scenarios for UWS.
High income (>20,000 CNY) was a predictor for LST limitation for UWS in third-person contexts (AOR = 2.87).
Nursing and rehabilitation therapists were less likely to continue LST for their own child with UWS (AOR = 0.46 and AOR = 0.55, respectively).
Childlessness was associated with a greater willingness to continue LST (AOR = 2.14).
89.9% of HCPs endorsed pain perception for MCS, which significantly reduced willingness to limit LST in UWS cases.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare professionals should consider the clinical and ethical dimensions when making decisions regarding LST in pediatric patients with DoC.
Conclusion
Chinese HCPs exhibit caution in limiting LST for pediatric patients with DoC, influenced by various factors including diagnosis and personal perspectives.
