Pain Management in the Home

Pain is among the most common symptoms for which families seek medical treatment. Researchers have reported that at least two thirds of children and adolescents surveyed had experienced pain from headaches, backaches, or limb pain within the previous 3 months. Ironically, pain is also a common symptom of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for illness and injury. Numerous reports have detailed the frequency and duration of pain children experience following surgery. Although the field of pain assessment and management has been the subject of burgeoning research in the last 4 decades, most efforts have been devoted to care of children within acute care settings. Relatively few studies have been devoted to the care of children at home following treatment or care for children with chronic or ...