A survey of children's perspectives on pain management in the emergency department. J Emerg Med 2014 Sep;47(3):268-76
Date
07/12/2014Pubmed ID
25012277DOI
10.1016/j.jemermed.2014.01.038Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84925294971 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 14 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Children's pain is frequently underrecognized and undertreated. This study focuses exclusively on children's perspectives of and satisfaction with their pain management in the emergency department (ED).
OBJECTIVES: Specific study objectives were to 1) describe the pain and ED treatment experienced by children, 2) measure the child's satisfaction with pain treatment, and 3) determine factors associated with satisfaction.
METHODS: This prospective, descriptive survey examined a convenience sample of 100 children, aged 7-17 years, who were treated for pain in the pediatric ED of a Canadian hospital. We measured children's pain scores, overall satisfaction with their pain management, and perceptions of health care provider communication.
RESULTS: Of the 100 children studied, 53 were male, and the mean age was 12.6 years. The maximum mean pain score was reported as 79 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 75-82) and the mean score at discharge was reported as 34 mm (95% CI 29-39), using a 100-mm modified visual analog scale. The majority of children (92%) were satisfied; three children (3%) were very unhappy and four (4%) were unhappy with their pain treatment. Satisfaction was correlated with pain resolution (p = 0.018), effective child-provider communication (p = 0.045), and the perception that the medicine worked quickly (p = 0.034).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite continued pain upon discharge, most children were satisfied with their pain management. However, it is important that emergency physicians not interpret patient satisfaction as equivalent to adequate provision of analgesia. The relationship between children's pain management and self-reported satisfaction needs to be further explored.
Author List
Weingarten L, Kircher J, Drendel AL, Newton AS, Ali SAuthor
Amy L. Drendel DO Interim Chief, Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAnalgesia
Canada
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Health Care Surveys
Health Services Needs and Demand
Humans
Male
Pain Management
Pain Measurement
Patient Satisfaction
Pediatrics
Professional-Patient Relations
Prospective Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
