Chronic Pain Management as a Barrier to Pediatric Palliative Care. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thompson, Lindsay A.; Meinert, Elizabeth; Baker, Kimberly; Knapp, Caprice
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 30:Number 8(2013)
• Page Start: 764
• Page End: 767
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: palliative care -- pediatrics -- pain management; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909112473632
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

Pain is common as a presenting complaint to outpatient and emergency departments for children, yet pain management represents one of the children's largest unmet needs. A child may present with acute pain for an intermittent issue or may have acute or chronic pain in the setting of chronic illness. The mainstay of treatment for pain uses a stepwise approach for pain management, such as set up by the World Health Organization. For children with life-limiting illnesses, the Institute of Medicine guidelines recommends referral upon diagnosis for palliative care, meaning that the child receives comprehensive services that include pain control in coordination with curative therapies; yet barriers remain. From the provider perspective, pain can be better addressed through a careful assessment of one's own knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The key components of pain management in children are multimodal, regardless of the cause of the pain.