PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J Aldridge
AU  - K Shimmon
AU  - M Miller
AU  - L K Fraser
AU  - B Wright
TI  - ‘I can't tell my child they are dying’. Helping parents have conversations with their child
AID  - 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311974
DP  - 2017 Mar 13
TA  - Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition
PG  - edpract-2016-311974
4099  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/early/2017/03/13/archdischild-2016-311974.short
4100  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/early/2017/03/13/archdischild-2016-311974.full
AB  - This paper explores the challenges of resolving conflicting feelings around talking with a child about their terminal prognosis. When children are left out of such conversations it is usually done with good intent, with a parent wishing to protect their child from anxiety or loss of hope. There is however growing evidence that sensitive, timely, age appropriate information from those with whom children have a good relationship is helpful both for the child and their family. There is no evidence that involving children in sensitive and timely discussions creates significant problems, rather that withholding information may lead to confusion, frustration, distress and anger. The authors discuss ways in which families can be supported to have these significant conversations with their children.