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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBMC palliative care

The palliative care needs of adolescents and young adults with a life limiting condition: a systematic review.

  • Hannah Linane1,2,3
  • J Allen4,5,6
  • M O'Reilly4,7
  • L Sullivan8
  • M Molcho9
9 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Paediatric Palliative Medicine, Children's Health Ireland, Cooley Road Dublin 12, Dublin, D12N512, Ireland. [email protected].
  2. 2School of Education, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland. [email protected].
  3. 3St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. [email protected].
  4. 4Department of Paediatric Palliative Medicine, Children's Health Ireland, Cooley Road Dublin 12, Dublin, D12N512, Ireland.
  5. 5The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, Ireland.
  6. 6Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
  7. 7St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Dublin, Ireland.
  8. 8School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
  9. 9School of Education, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
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Abstract

Background

Adolescence and young adulthood is characterised by complex developmental and psychosocial changes. The diagnosis of a life-limiting condition adds complexity and stress to this already turbulent period of life. Provision of developmentally appropriate palliative care to this group necessitates an understanding of the palliative care needs specific to this group. The aim of this study is to identify existing evidence about the palliative care needs of adolescents and young adults with a life-limiting condition (both cancer and non-cancer conditions).Methods

This systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases were searched from time of inception until 18th December 2025. The databases searched included Pubmed, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCO), Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO (EBSCO) and the Web of Science Core Collection. Articles were screened and extracted. Key themes were identified within and across articles.Results

In total, twelve articles (nine qualitative and three quantitative studies) were included. Nine of the included studies focused on adolescents and young adults with cancer, while the remaining three studies focused on non-cancer conditions. Analyses generated five themes: (i) Shared core palliative care need domains, (ii) Parent and peer relationships, (iii) Normalcy, (iv) An adapted approach to communication and decision making, and (v) Continuity and coordination of health services.Conclusions

This systematic review outlines the evidence on palliative care needs specific to adolescents and young adults with a life-limiting condition. These findings will support advancement of developmentally appropriate palliative care supports for this group.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{linane2026palliative,
  title = {{The palliative care needs of adolescents and young adults with a life limiting condition: a systematic review.}},
  author = {Hannah Linane and J Allen and M O'Reilly and L Sullivan and M Molcho},
  journal = {BMC palliative care},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s12904-026-02291-x},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009917},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The palliative care needs of adolescents and young adults with a life limiting condition: a systematic review.
AU  - Hannah Linane
AU  - J Allen
AU  - M O'Reilly
AU  - L Sullivan
AU  - M Molcho
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/15
JO  - BMC palliative care
DO  - 10.1186/s12904-026-02291-x
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43009917
AB  - Background  Adolescence and young adulthood is characterised by complex developmental and psychosocial changes. The diagnosis of a life-limiting condition adds complexity and stress to this already turbulent period of life. Provision of developmentally appropriate palliative care to this group necessitates an understanding of the palliative care needs specific to this group. The aim of this study is to identify existing evidence about the palliative care needs of adolescents and young adults with a life-limiting condition (both cancer and non-cancer conditions).Methods  This systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases were searched from time of inception until 18th December 2025. The databases searched included Pubmed, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCO), Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO (EBSCO) and the Web of Science Core Collection. Articles were screened and extracted. Key themes were identified within and across articles.Results  In total, twelve articles (nine qualitative and three quantitative studies) were included. Nine of the included studies focused on adolescents and young adults with cancer, while the remaining three studies focused on non-cancer conditions. Analyses generated five themes: (i) Shared core palliative care need domains, (ii) Parent and peer relationships, (iii) Normalcy, (iv) An adapted approach to communication and decision making, and (v) Continuity and coordination of health services.Conclusions  This systematic review outlines the evidence on palliative care needs specific to adolescents and young adults with a life-limiting condition. These findings will support advancement of developmentally appropriate palliative care supports for this group.
SN  - 1472-684X
ER  -