Ongoing Conversation about AI and Tech in Children’s Palliative Care

Observations from Children’s Palliative Care Providers 

‘I use AI to help me prompt considerations before a difficult conversation with a family - helping me be prepared and present in the in-person interaction.’ 

'As nurses and doctors, we are responsible for any advice or medicine dosage we give - not AI.’

’Technology is changing quickly - I want to use it more effectively in my work.’

‘Tech can be helpful - but I worry about AI being misleading.’ 

‘We need to scale use of technology to assist with home care.’ 

‘We’re using AI to create art, like poetry, with patients.’ 

Sparking a Global Conversation 

Global Treehouse was proud to stand alongside innovative practitioners interested in exploring artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to enhance human-centred care in children’s palliative care. At the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) conference in Manila, Philippines, Global Treehouse and Lifelites co-hosted a conversation on the role of artificial intelligence and technology in paediatric palliative care. 

Basing the conversation on the lived experiences and perspectives of providers attending the session, Global Treehouse also grounded it in our core principles, emphasising the importance of ensuring it is focused on increasing human-centred care. Lifelites, a UK-based organisation that harnesses assistive technology to empower children and young people with life-limiting conditions, emphasised the importance of children, family and providers feeling comfortable using any available technology.

Voices from Across the Field 

As the opening paraphrased sentiments show, children’s palliative care providers shared a wide range of views and perspectives on AI and technology - in the world, in their lives and in their work with seriously ill children and families.

A few themes emerged from this group of global providers: 

• Curious about a rapidly evolving landscape: Participants expressed that with AI and tech changing quickly, it makes sense to consider how it applies to all aspects, including their work. This openness to learning more was matched with other principles. 

• Commitment to harnessing the best resources: We heard a spirit of trying new technologies and AI to ensure the most efficient and best information for patients. While previously we heard that providers might not be using AI or tech, we now hear clearly that it is regularly used in personal and professional settings. 

• Keeping humans in the human-centred care: We heard a deep commitment from providers to not abdicate responsibility for any patient care - that accountability continues to be held by the care team regardless of any AI or tech assists. This was also emphasised in terms of outcomes. 

• Creating consistency in ethical safeguarding: We heard questions about data security: who has access, where is it stored, and what are the unseen impacts of the data AI. 

• Nurture creativity: We also heard human considerations - how do we not create over-reliance for our decision making, or only trust it for advice and decisions? As leaders, we can use this as a powerful tool to continue to create our independent thoughts and novel solutions.

• Need for equitable understanding across languages: While AI and tech can often assist with multilingual communication, different results from using other languages in tools like chatbots can lead to scepticism or concerns. 

Opportunities for Future Discussions 

• Building trust: Providers don’t want to fear or worry about the safety of tools. All must have shared trust in any emerging technology. 

• Strengthen decision-making: Participants are using AI resources to support optimal decision-making in patient care and welcome tools that help them do so. 

• Safeguards for rollout: Providers noted the potential of AI in electronic medical records and telehealth when properly safeguarded. We especially noted that there are opportunities for us to control what information one “gives” AI or other data sources. 

• Interest in patient-centred chatbots: How to best support patients with age-appropriate information to empower them? 

Join the Ongoing Community Conversation 

We’re excited to share that a new global WhatsApp community has formed to continue this in-person conversation - and you are invited to join! Send a note to info@globaltreehouse.foundation, and we’ll share the WhatsApp community link. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts.