Pain assessment in children and young people with developmental disabilities: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Disabilities
• Pain Management

Background:

• Paediatric pain is frequently undertreated and misdiagnosed in clinical practice.
• Children and young people with developmental disabilities present unique challenges for accurate pain assessment.
• Effective pain assessment is crucial for appropriate pain management and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review to identify facilitators and barriers to using pain assessment tools for children and young people with developmental disabilities.
• To explore existing research on pain assessment in this vulnerable population.
• To inform strategies for improving pain management in paediatric care.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of relevant literature was performed.
• The review focused on identifying factors influencing the use of pain assessment tools.
• Data synthesis involved thematic analysis to categorize barriers and facilitators.

Main Results:

• Key barriers identified include healthcare professional inexperience and lack of education regarding pain assessment.
• Facilitators include parental assistance and knowledge, alongside enhanced education and training for healthcare professionals.
• A significant research gap exists, particularly concerning pain assessment in hospice settings for this population.

Conclusions:

• Improving healthcare professional education and training is essential for effective paediatric pain assessment.
• Parental involvement and knowledge are vital facilitators in the accurate assessment of pain.
• Further research is needed to address the identified gaps and ensure equitable pain management for children with developmental disabilities.