What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview study

Abstract Background Innovation is required within children’s palliative care (CPC) to improve access to and quality of care. Existing research demonstrates a lack of access to CPC worldwide. This study aimed to explore the current opportunities for innovation within CPC from the provider’s perspecti...

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Main Authors: K. Grailey, J. Roland, M. Lambert, G. Fontana, L. Dale-Harris, I. Williams, A. Shaw, A. L. Neves, J. Downing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Palliative Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01837-9
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author K. Grailey
J. Roland
M. Lambert
G. Fontana
L. Dale-Harris
I. Williams
A. Shaw
A. L. Neves
J. Downing
author_facet K. Grailey
J. Roland
M. Lambert
G. Fontana
L. Dale-Harris
I. Williams
A. Shaw
A. L. Neves
J. Downing
author_sort K. Grailey
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Innovation is required within children’s palliative care (CPC) to improve access to and quality of care. Existing research demonstrates a lack of access to CPC worldwide. This study aimed to explore the current opportunities for innovation within CPC from the provider’s perspective. Methods Global leaders in CPC were purposively sampled and invited to partake in a qualitative semi-structured interview. Data were thematically analysed using an inductive approach. Results Fifty-one CPC leaders from 27 countries were interviewed, encompassing clinical, managerial and patient advocacy roles. A thematic framework housing nine key themes was created, reflecting what innovation means in the context of CPC and the future of innovation. Key findings included opportunities to leverage new technologies within the sector. The importance of a clear vision and user-centred design were seen as crucial when innovating in CPC. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into opportunities for innovation in CPC, creating a thematic framework that brings together key themes and may help guide future innovation. We also highlight essential areas for innovation such as the use of technology. In the context of existing guidance for the delivery of CPC, leaders and policy makers can use the insights from this work to innovate and improve quality and access to CPC worldwide.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1472-684X
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spelling doaj-art-fb4cb1ad64894ff2829aba4d9506968c2025-08-20T03:42:02ZengBMCBMC Palliative Care1472-684X2025-07-0124111010.1186/s12904-025-01837-9What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview studyK. Grailey0J. Roland1M. Lambert2G. Fontana3L. Dale-Harris4I. Williams5A. Shaw6A. L. Neves7J. Downing8Centre for Health Policy, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College LondonCentre for Health Policy, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College LondonCentre for Health Policy, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College LondonCentre for Health Policy, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College LondonGlobal Treehouse FoundationHelix Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College LondonCentre for Health Policy, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College LondonDepartment of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College LondonInternational Children’s Palliative Care NetworkAbstract Background Innovation is required within children’s palliative care (CPC) to improve access to and quality of care. Existing research demonstrates a lack of access to CPC worldwide. This study aimed to explore the current opportunities for innovation within CPC from the provider’s perspective. Methods Global leaders in CPC were purposively sampled and invited to partake in a qualitative semi-structured interview. Data were thematically analysed using an inductive approach. Results Fifty-one CPC leaders from 27 countries were interviewed, encompassing clinical, managerial and patient advocacy roles. A thematic framework housing nine key themes was created, reflecting what innovation means in the context of CPC and the future of innovation. Key findings included opportunities to leverage new technologies within the sector. The importance of a clear vision and user-centred design were seen as crucial when innovating in CPC. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into opportunities for innovation in CPC, creating a thematic framework that brings together key themes and may help guide future innovation. We also highlight essential areas for innovation such as the use of technology. In the context of existing guidance for the delivery of CPC, leaders and policy makers can use the insights from this work to innovate and improve quality and access to CPC worldwide.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01837-9InnovationChildren’s palliative careQualitative researchPaediatric palliative careGlobal healthHuman centred design
spellingShingle K. Grailey
J. Roland
M. Lambert
G. Fontana
L. Dale-Harris
I. Williams
A. Shaw
A. L. Neves
J. Downing
What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview study
BMC Palliative Care
Innovation
Children’s palliative care
Qualitative research
Paediatric palliative care
Global health
Human centred design
title What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview study
title_full What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview study
title_fullStr What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview study
title_full_unstemmed What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview study
title_short What are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children? A qualitative interview study
title_sort what are the greatest opportunities for innovation to improve access to and quality of palliative care services to children a qualitative interview study
topic Innovation
Children’s palliative care
Qualitative research
Paediatric palliative care
Global health
Human centred design
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01837-9
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