Foundations of Social Work Practice in Paediatric Palliative Care From the Perspective of the Patient, the Family and the Multidisciplinary Team

A Systematic Review

Bibliographic Data

ID12287922
AuthorsMaría Elena Cuartero Castañer (0000-0002-9510-8721), M Elena Cuartero-Castañer (Universitat de les Illes Balears), Ana Cañas-Lerma (0000-0001-7235-2070, Universitat de les Illes Balears, corresponding author), Sara Bagur (0000-0002-5983-0186), Sara Monserrat Bagur (Universitat de les Illes Balears), Sebastià Verger Gelabert (0000-0002-4627-2082), Sebastià Verger (Universitat de les Illes Balears)
EditorsQing-Wei Chen
Year2026
Volume2026
Issue1
Publication date2026-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth & Social Care in the Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-0410 • E-ISSN: 1365-2524
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1155/hsc/8849933
OpenAlexW7118196419
LanguageEN
References cited28

Paediatric palliative care is a complex and painful reality for children, young people and their families, and the professional team caring for them. Social workers are essential in these teams, providing emotional and care support to patients and their families. Each country and hospital have its characteristics, but there needs to be more general information to determine the essential aspects on which social work practice is based. This systematic review aims to identify the theoretical underpinnings of social work in paediatric palliative care to develop a knowledge framework for future intervention strategies. The systematic review included 14 studies between 2018 and 2023, identified by searching four databases using the PRISMA methodology (WOS, SCOPUS, Dialnet Plus and ERIC). From the analysis of the articles, 13 categories were identified as fundamental to the social work approach in the context of paediatric palliative care. These foundations include relational and caring practices and work with the family, main theoretical models, cultural aspects and multidisciplinary work, among others. In addition, new challenges, such as social work with groups and telehealth, are addressed. The findings of this systematic review provide strategic and research directions for social workers working in paediatric palliative care, thus contributing to the profession’s development in this field

Context (archaeology · Intervention (counseling · Multidisciplinary approach · Palliative care · Perspective (graphical · Work (physics · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Palliative and Oncologic Care · Pediatric Pain Management Techniques · Social Work

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Open DOIOpen Access