Strategies for Navigating Conflict With Family in Pediatric Hospice
Presented by Joan “Jody” Chrastek and Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board
This program addresses the inevitable conflicts that arise from the immense stress and grief experienced by families caring for a terminally ill child. High-tension situations, whether rooted in care disagreements or redirected anger, can easily escalate and threaten the therapeutic relationship, requiring clinicians to manage their own physiological triggers actively. Geared toward pediatric hospice nurses and allied health professionals conducting home visits, this course provides practical de-escalation techniques, such as the application of NURSE statements and targeted communication framing. Students will learn to identify the root causes of conflict—differentiating between psychosocial relationship issues and clinical care disagreements—to appropriately involve the broader interdisciplinary team. Furthermore, the course establishes critical protocols for identifying physical red flags, ensuring personal safety, and proactively documenting identified family triggers in the patient's care plan to maintain a peaceful environment.
Learning Outcomes
- Select ways to calm yourself in stressful times of patient conflict
- Interpret if the conflict is something you need assistance with or if it can be solved while you are there
- Identify shared goals for the child’s well-being between those in conflict
Meet your instructors
Joan “Jody” Chrastek
Joan “Jody” Chrastek was born and brought up in India and trained as a nurse in Scotland. She has worked as a midwife and hospice nurse in the UK, India, and the USA with adults and children. She has worked in hospice and palliative care for more than 35 years in both inpatient and community settings. She has provided…
Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board
The Medbridge Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board ensures the development and maintenance of up-to-date and evidence-based clinical procedures. The review board is composed of leading nurse experts in the field: Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, and Margherita Labson, RN, BSN, MSHSA. The review board is involved in…
