Paediatric palliative care: a review of needs, obstacles and the future JACKIE WILLIAMS-READE PhD 1 , ANGELA L. LAMSON PhD 2 , SHARON M. KNIGHT PhD 3 , MARK B. WHITE PhD 4 , SHARON M. BALLARD PhD 4 and PRITI P. P. DESAI PhD 5 1 Assistant Professor, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 2 Professor, Child Development and Family Relations, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 3 Professor, Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 4 Associate Professor, Child Development and Family Relations, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, and 5 Assistant Professor, Child Development and Family Relations, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA Correspondence Jackie Williams-Reade School of Behavioral Health Loma Linda University 11065 Campus Street Loma Linda CA 92350 USA E-mail: jwilliamsreade@llu.edu WILLIAMS-READE J., LAMSON A.L., KNIGHT S.M., WHITE M.B., BALLARD S.M. & DESAI P.P.P. (2015) Journal of Nursing Management 23, 4–14. Paediatric palliative care: a review of needs, obstacles and the future Aim This literature review offers a response to the current paediatric palliative care literature that will punctuate the need for a framework (i.e. the three world view) that can serve as an evaluative lens for nurse managers who are in the planning or evaluative stages of paediatric palliative care programmes. Background The complexities in providing paediatric palliative care extend beyond clinical practices to operational policies and financial barriers that exist in the continuum of services for patients. Evaluation This article offers a review of the literature and a framework in order to view best clinical practices, operational/policy standards and financial feasibility when considering the development and sustainability of paediatric palliative care programmes. Key aspects Fifty-four articles were selected as representative of the current state of the literature as it pertains to the three world view (i.e. clinical, operational and financial factors) involved in providing paediatric palliative care. Conclusion In developing efficient paediatric palliative care services, clinical, operational and financial resources and barriers need to be identified and addressed. Implications for nursing management Nursing management plays a crucial role in addressing the clinical, operational and financial needs and concerns that are grounded in paediatric palliative care literature. Keywords: nurse managers, organisational challenges, paediatric, palliative care, review Accepted for publication: 8 March 2013 Introduction It is estimated that on any given day in America, between 5000 and 8600 children are eligible for and could benefit from care that acknowledges their limited life expec- tancy and severity of illness (Feudtner et al. 2001, Friebert 2009). Over 500 000 infants and children cope each year with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses that are characterised by uncertain illness trajectories (Hynson et al. 2003, Himelstein et al. 2004). The Inter- national Children’s Palliative Care Network (Interna- tional Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN)’s 4 DOI: 10.1111/jonm.12095 ª 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Journal of Nursing Management, 2015, 23, 4–14