Goals of care discussions and advance care planning in pediatric patients with serious illness

Care conversations and advance care planning aim to align the values and wishes of patients and their families with the care they receive. All health care professionals who care for fetuses, infants, children, or adolescents with serious illness have an ethical responsibility to educate themselves about these aspects of care. This position statement helps health care professionals begin these important discussions. Effective communication is essential to clarify the goals of care and agree on treatments that are appropriate to achieve those goals, including resuscitative and palliative measures.