How children with cancer and their mothers perceive palliative care?

Abstract Background Palliative care is an essential aspect of pediatric cancer care, important for enhancing quality of life for pediatrics and families. This study surveys how children with cancer and their mothers perceive their palliative care experience. Methods This cross-sectional study included 210 hospitalized children aged 6–12 years with cancer and their mothers, recruited from the oncology unit of a referral hospital in northwest Iran. Data were collected via a questionnaire designed by Levin et al. (2017) and administered through interviews with the children and their parents. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, employing descriptive and inferential statistics. Results One month after treatment initiation, over 70% of children and parents reported effective management of pain, nausea, and appetite by the healthcare team. However, over 40% perceived inadequate management of anxiety and nervousness in children. While over half reported good control of physical symptoms (pain and nausea), more than 40% felt anxiety and nervousness were not adequately addressed. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that current pediatric palliative care practices are effective in managing physical symptoms. However, psychological symptoms remain inadequately addressed, highlighting the need for integrated psychosocial and mental health support. These results support the development of multidisciplinary, patient-centered care models and the inclusion of both children’s and caregivers’ perspectives in quality improvement initiatives.