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[Pediatric general practitioners and tertiary care structures for pain therapy. A qualitative study on the need for
1Deutsches Kinderschmerzzentrum, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln, Lehrstuhl für Kinderschmerztherapie und Pädiatrische Palliativmedizin, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Dr.-Friedrich-Steiner-Str. 5, 45711, Datteln, Deutschland.
Insights
Pediatricians support a network with a tertiary pain center for better chronic pediatric pain management. Enhanced education and structured tools are needed for improved patient care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Management
- Healthcare Networks
- General Pediatrics
Context:
- Chronic pediatric pain is a significant issue requiring early intervention.
- Pediatric general practices need structured tools and therapies.
- A network between primary pediatric care and a tertiary pain center is proposed.
Purpose:
- To investigate the need for structured diagnostic tools and therapies for chronic pediatric pain in general pediatric practices.
- To describe the aims, services, and challenges of a network connecting pediatric practices with a tertiary pediatric pain center, from the perspective of general pediatric practitioners.
Summary:
- Qualitative research involved interviewing 20 general pediatric practitioners.
- Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
- Practitioners positively viewed a network with a tertiary pediatric pain center, expressing expectations, desire for cooperation, and recommendations for patient care.
Impact:
- General pediatric practitioners prefer a collaborative network with a tertiary care center.
- Further education for practitioners and standardized diagnostic/therapeutic tools are crucial for optimizing care for children with chronic pain.
Background:
Despite the urgency of the problem of chronic pediatric pain and the importance of early interventions, many children experience intermittent episodes of pain over a long period of time. One aim of this study was to investigate the need of structured diagnostic tools and therapies of chronic pediatric pain in pediatric general practices. Another aim was to describe the aims, services and challenges of a network between pediatric practices and a tertiary pediatric pain centre, from the perspective of general pediatric practitioners.
Material And Methods:
A qualitative research design was selected and 20 general pediatric practitioners were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. Interviews were analyzed by use of qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.
Results:
Generally, the idea of a network between pediatric practices and the German Pediatric Pain Centre was rated positively by pediatric general practitioners. From the results of the analysis three categories were identified: (i) expectations from the network (ii) desire for cooperation in the network and (iii) recommendations for improved patient care.
Conclusion:
A network with a centre for tertiary care was preferred by the general pediatric practitioners. To optimize the care of children with chronic pain further education for general pediatric practitioners as well as structured diagnostic tools and therapies of frequent pediatric chronic pain diseases are warranted.
