Managing Pain In Children: Barriers To Effective Care

Abstract

This thesis focuses upon pain management in a healthcare setting and at home, specifically within the population of children. The purpose of this research is to understand why assessment and pain management of children is difficult for healthcare providers and caregivers. This study covers the influencing factors that act as barriers in the direct care of healthcare providers to children. The aim is to understand why these barriers affect successful pain assessment and management. A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the challenges that affect successful care for children. There were four themes that were identified in the eight articles that met the criteria for the barriers of pain assessment and management. The themes identified were the healthcare worker’s ability to collect subjective and objective data, communication within staff and family, forgotten priorities by healthcare providers and a child’s inability to rate their own pain. Recognizing these challenges and how they hinder optimal childcare will promote good patient outcomes and support child growth and development.