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Paediatricians' Views on Pain in Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

Lucie Petigas1, Christopher J Newman2

  • 1Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Brain Sciences
|April 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pediatricians recognize that children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) experience significant pain, yet face challenges in assessment and treatment due to communication barriers. Enhanced training is crucial for improving pain management in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Disability Studies
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Pain is a common and significant issue for children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD).
  • Identifying and managing pain in PIMD is challenging for physicians due to limited communication abilities in these children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore pediatricians' views on the experience and management of pain in children with PIMD.
  • To identify barriers to effective pain assessment and treatment in this population.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was distributed to 480 pediatricians in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland.
  • 121 responses were collected, representing a 25.5% participation rate.

Main Results:

  • Over 90% of responding pediatricians believe pain in PIMD is under-assessed and undertreated.
  • Key barriers identified include communication limitations, assessment difficulties, and lack of specialized knowledge or experience.
  • Pediatricians generally agree that children with PIMD experience pain comparable to typically developing children.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatricians hold complex views on pain in PIMD, highlighting a need for improved understanding and management strategies.
  • Professional education and training are essential to enhance pediatricians' confidence and competence in addressing pain in children with PIMD.

Keywords:
childdisabilitypaediatricianpainprofound intellectual and multiple disabilitiessurvey

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