Children's experiences of pain in an accident and emergency department.
Controlling pain in sick or injured children continues to be a challenge, particularly for those working in Accident and Emergency departments. Empathising with the subjectivity of a child's experience, provides insight into the range of significant events that frequently exacerbate the quality and intensity of physical pain; the latter being compounded by the 'emotion' pain of fear, misunderstanding, separation or distress. This article stresses the importance of an holistic approach for effective pain management. The developmental aspects of the perceptual, interpretative and expressive components of pain will be explored and a range of pain assessment tools considered.
Atherton
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*