Introduction

I am delighted to be Guest Editor for this special issue of the Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care. This issue is a timely discussion of the state of pediatric palliative care social work. Pediatric palliative care has grown considerably in the past decade since the Institute of Medicine report When Children Die (2002) that stated that care for children was not “compassionate, consistent, nor competent.” Since that report, there has been a proliferation of pediatric palliative care programs in children’s hospitals throughout the country. Pediatric palliative medicine is now recognized as a subspecialty certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties and a certification from the Joint Commission for hospital palliative care programs. Educational programs, multidisciplinary research, and evidence-informed practice in this highly specialized field have also grown in response. Social workers have been integral as part of pediatric palliative care teams and leaders in advancing practice, research, and education. I hope you will be inspired by the articles presented in this issue.