The management of pediatric chronic pain in Spain: a web-based survey study

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• children
• chronic pain
• general practitioners
• pain management
• pain programs
• pediatricians

Transparency

Declaration of funding

This work was funded by the Fundación Grünenthal (FG).

Declaration of financial/other relationships

JM’s work is supported by FG, the Government of Catalonia [AGAUR; 2017SGR-1321], the Spanish Ministry of Science and Competitiveness/Science, Innovation and Universities [MINECO; RTI2018-09870-B-I00; RED2018-102546], and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

All authors were involved in the conception and design of the study. JM drafted a first version of the paper, and all authors revised subsequent versions of the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgements

A professional translator has been involved in the preparation of this text.