Knowledge of Pediatric Pain: The State of the Art

Abstract

This paper analyzes the state of knowledge in four central areas of pediatric pain consequences, assessment childrens experiences, and management The authors point out the general lack of research, common beliefs of health providers, and contradictions and uncertainties in the literature Difficulties in identifying and measuring childrens pain are cited as the major barriers to effective assessment and management and to a firm scientific base Recognition of the general lack of knowledge, more empirical focusing, rejection of unproven assumptions, and more attention to clinical reasoning are recommended as starting points for reducing the uncertainty about pain in the care of hospitalized children.