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Published on: April 14, 2016
The management of pediatric chronic pain in Spain: a web-based survey study
Jordi Miró1,2, Juan Antonio Micó3, Francisco Reinoso-Barbero4,5
1Unit for the Study and Treatment of Pain-ALGOS, Chair in Pediatric Pain URV-FG, Research Center in Behavior Assessment and Measurement, Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.
Objective:
To improve understanding of current practices in the treatment of children and adolescents with chronic pain in Spain.
Methods:
A web-based survey was conducted with a representative sample of healthcare professionals (i.e. general practitioners [GP] and pediatricians [P]) in Spain. The survey included 23 questions on the pain education and training they had been given, and on organizational issues and current practices in the assessment and management of children and adolescents with chronic pain in their current work.
Results:
The survey was completed by 191 professionals (75 GP and 116 P) with wide experience (mean number of years = 21; SD = 8) in the management of children and adolescents with chronic pain. Half of the participants reported that they had not been given any specific education or training on pediatric chronic pain management during their studies, and 80% acknowledged important gaps in their training. Although the majority assessed pain when attending children with chronic pain (80%), and almost all (96%) believed that protocols to guide the management of chronic pain in young people were necessary, only a third reported that they usually use a specific protocol. Less than 25% were part of a multidisciplinary team addressing the needs of children and adolescents with chronic pain.
Conclusions:
This survey has identified considerable limitations in the management of children and adolescents with chronic pain in Spain. This information can now be used by policy makers to improve the care given to children and adolescents suffering from chronic pain and their families.
