A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Pain Assessment and Management Program for Respite Workers Supporting...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pain Management
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
• Healthcare Professional Training

Background:

• Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience significant pain.
• Effective pain management requires specialized knowledge and skills among healthcare providers, including respite workers (RWs).
• There is a need for targeted training to enhance RWs' capacity in addressing pediatric pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the 'Let's Talk About Pain' training program.
• To assess the impact of the training on respite workers' (RWs) pain-related knowledge.
• To measure changes in RWs' feasibility-confidence-skill ratings regarding pain management.

Main Methods:

• A parallel group randomized controlled trial was conducted across 14 children's respite organizations.
• Organizations were randomized to receive either the pain training or a control training.
• Participants (nintervention = 66; ncontrol = 92) completed assessments pre-training, post-training, and at 4-6 week follow-up.

Main Results:

• Pain training participants showed significantly higher pain knowledge and feasibility-confidence-skill ratings compared to the control group post-follow-up.
• Significant increases in pain knowledge were observed from pre-training to post-training within the intervention group.
• These knowledge and confidence gains were sustained at the 4-6 week follow-up assessment.

Conclusions:

• The 'Let's Talk About Pain' training is effective in enhancing respite workers' (RWs) pain-related knowledge and confidence.
• The training demonstrates feasibility and skill development, leading to sustained improvements in pain management capabilities.
• This intervention represents a promising approach to improving pain-related care for children with IDD.