Parent and childSurvivorsProfessionals
International patientsAbout usContact and routeVacanciesDonate now
Patient portal

Palliative care

This page outlines how pediatric palliative care is organized at the Princess Máxima Center. You will find information about our vision, the Children's Comfort Team (CCT), consultation options, research, and collaborations within the Netherlands and Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Research

Research within pediatric palliative care at the Máxima Center primarily focuses on symptom measurement and discussing death.

Study: Approach

The APPROACH study is developing an app that allows children with cancer and/or their parents to report the symptoms they experience at home during different stages of the illness.

The app:

  • Helps assess the severity of symptoms at home.

  • Advises when to contact healthcare professionals.

  • Provides practical advice to alleviate symptoms.

Children, parents, and healthcare professionals are actively involved in the development, ensuring the app truly meets the needs and wishes of families. More information about the APPROACH study can be found here.

Study: Facing Death

The "Facing Death" study focuses on one of the most sensitive topics in pediatric oncology: How do we communicate about the approaching death in an environment primarily focused on hope, treatment, and healing?

The aim of the research is to gain insight into:

  • How end-of-life conversations unfold.

  • The dilemmas involved.

  • What is needed to find words for a reality that is often difficult to discuss.

This research is necessary because the way we communicate about the approaching death has a significant impact on children and their parents: On trust, perceived safety, shared decision-making, and on how they shape their remaining time. By making this often implicit process explicit, the project contributes to care that better aligns with what families need. The tangible outcome for the child is: Less uncertainty, less unnecessary suffering, and more space for connection, control, and quality of life—especially when time is most precious.

Guideline Development and Collaboration

As part of an EU project, the Máxima Center is collaborating with other partners to develop European guidelines for pediatric palliative care.

Additionally, within the Máxima Center, we closely collaborate with national organizations, including:

  • The Knowledge Center for Pediatric Palliative Care.

  • The Networks for Integrated Child Care.

This collaboration strengthens care, research, and guideline development within the Netherlands.