What does this research mean for the field?

Specialist pediatric palliative care coverage in a regional Italian health system meets only 42.3% of estimated need, with care being highly centralized and patients exhibiting substantial clinical complexity and intensive healthcare utilization. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate real-world pediatric palliative care utilization, care pathways, and population-level specialist coverage relative to estimated need in a regional healthcare system.

September 10, 2026European Journal of PediatricsOpen Access

Pediatric palliative care in practice: real-world service utilization and care pathways in a regional Italian health system

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MGMarco Gabrielli GZGiulia Zamagni SPSara Persello

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Retrospective observational study reveals intensive healthcare utilization and 42.3% specialist coverage in pediatric palliative care, highlighting a need for stronger local community networks.

Key Points

To evaluate real-world pediatric palliative care utilization, care pathways, and population-level specialist coverage relative to estimated need in a regional healthcare system.
Retrospective observational review of electronic records for pediatric patients (N=91; 159 screened) formally managed by a tertiary pediatric palliative care hub between January 2022 and December 2025.
Tracked demographic variables, technological dependency, multidisciplinary service contacts across hospital and home settings, and coverage relative to estimated regional specialist need.
Most cohort patients were non-oncologic (n=80), with 29.7% requiring more than three medical devices, a median age of 6 years (IQR 1–12), and an overall mortality rate of 29.7%.
Healthcare utilization was high, with a median of 61 visits per patient (IQR 35–97) strongly concentrated at the tertiary hub center.
Specialist care reached 42.3% of the estimated regional need, with lower coverage observed in geographically distant local health authorities.

Cite This Study

Gabrielli et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27a8e58559d80afc73388 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-026-07386-4

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

September 10, 2026European Journal of PediatricsOpen Access

Pediatric palliative care in practice: real-world service utilization and care pathways in a regional Italian health system

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MGMarco Gabrielli GZGiulia Zamagni SPSara Persello

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Retrospective observational study reveals intensive healthcare utilization and 42.3% specialist coverage in pediatric palliative care, highlighting a need for stronger local community networks.

Key Points

To evaluate real-world pediatric palliative care utilization, care pathways, and population-level specialist coverage relative to estimated need in a regional healthcare system.
Retrospective observational review of electronic records for pediatric patients (N=91; 159 screened) formally managed by a tertiary pediatric palliative care hub between January 2022 and December 2025.
Tracked demographic variables, technological dependency, multidisciplinary service contacts across hospital and home settings, and coverage relative to estimated regional specialist need.
Most cohort patients were non-oncologic (n=80), with 29.7% requiring more than three medical devices, a median age of 6 years (IQR 1–12), and an overall mortality rate of 29.7%.
Healthcare utilization was high, with a median of 61 visits per patient (IQR 35–97) strongly concentrated at the tertiary hub center.
Specialist care reached 42.3% of the estimated regional need, with lower coverage observed in geographically distant local health authorities.

Cite This Study

Gabrielli et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27a8e58559d80afc73388 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-026-07386-4

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark