Compliance of palliative care standards in children with cancer in select Middle Eastern countries: a comparative study

Background: Palliative care is one of the necessary elements in the treatment of children with cancer. Adaptation of country-specific palliative care practices to universal standards can provide valuable information for health care stakeholders. Aim: This study proposed to evaluate the global compliance of palliative care for children with cancer among select Middle Eastern countries. Methods: In this comparative study, information about palliative care principles in Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Turkey was extracted from the literature. Data were collected using a checklist based on the conceptual framework of palliative care inspired by Wolff and Browne's (2011) standards. Then the extracted information was compared and analysed. Findings: The palliative care standards in the selected countries did not show full compliance with global standards. In all selected countires, the child's and family's needs were considered, and a comprehensive care approach was followed. However, in none of the selected countries was the child's agreement to discharge from the hospital obtained, and neither was it ensured that the needs of the child and family were met. Conclusions: Palliative care principles in the selected Middle Eastern countries are far from meeting universal standards. Accordingly, planning and training are recommended in different domains of nursing education as well as clinical nursing in the care of children. Healthcare authorities and politicians must provide the appropriate conditions for better provision of palliative care for children with cancer.