Decision-making and paediatric pain: a review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Pain Management
• Clinical Decision-Making

Background:

• Effective pain management in children is crucial for their well-being.
• Numerous factors can influence healthcare professionals' decisions in pediatric pain care.
• A comprehensive understanding of these factors is needed to optimize nursing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a literature overview of factors influencing nursing decision-making in pediatric pain care.
• To identify and discuss key factors impacting pain assessment and management in children.
• To highlight areas requiring further research in this field.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published and unpublished literature.
• Synthesis and discussion of frequently cited influencing factors.
• Identification of research gaps and recommendations for future studies.

Main Results:

• Several factors consistently influence nursing decisions regarding pediatric pain.
• These factors encompass patient, caregiver, and healthcare system elements.
• Commonly cited factors include child's age, communication abilities, and previous pain experiences.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing and addressing the multifaceted factors influencing pediatric pain management is essential.
• Further research is recommended to deepen the understanding of these influences.
• Optimizing decision-making processes can lead to improved pain relief for children.