Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care Services and Needs Across the Northwest United States

Given workforce and funding constraints, pediatric hospice and palliative care clinicians often find challenges providing services for seriously ill children and families, particularly in low resource and rural/remote areas. To describe the services, training, and education needs of pediatric hospice and palliative care programs across the Northwest United States as part of the formation of a new regional coalition. Electronic surveys were sent to pediatric hospice and palliative care clinicians through state organizations as part of an email invitation to join the Northwest Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition. Data were analyzed descriptively using univariate analysis. Sixty-four participants representing 37 unique programs responded from seven states, including Washington (41%, n=27), Oregon (38%, n=25), Idaho (11%, n=7), Alaska (5%, n=3), Montana (3%, n=2), Colorado (2%, n=1), and Nevada (2%, n=1). Programs provided pediatric hospice care (42%, n=33/78) and palliative care services (30%, n=26/86). Although 26% (n=15/58) had been providing pediatric hospice and palliative care for >20 years, 40% (n=21/53) reported only serving