title: [Pediatric general practitioners and tertiary care structures for pain therapy. A qualitative study on the need for networking].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the urgency of the problem of chronic pediatric pain and the importance of early interventions, many children experience intermittent episodes of pain over a long period of time. One aim of this study was to investigate the need of structured diagnostic tools and therapies of chronic pediatric pain in pediatric general practices. Another aim was to describe the aims, services and challenges of a network between pediatric practices and a tertiary pediatric pain centre, from the perspective of general pediatric practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative research design was selected and 20 general pediatric practitioners were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. Interviews were analyzed by use of qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Generally, the idea of a network between pediatric practices and the German Pediatric Pain Centre was rated positively by pediatric general practitioners. From the results of the analysis three categories were identified: (i) expectations from the network (ii) desire for cooperation in the network and (iii) recommendations for improved patient care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A network with a centre for tertiary care was preferred by the general pediatric practitioners. To optimize the care of children with chronic pain further education for general pediatric practitioners as well as structured diagnostic tools and therapies of frequent pediatric chronic pain diseases are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Kinderschmerzzentrum, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln, Lehrstuhl für Kinderschmerztherapie und Pädiatrische Palliativmedizin, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Dr.-Friedrich-Steiner-Str. 5, 45711, Datteln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wager
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zernikow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D018710:Pain Clinics; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010372:Pediatrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013038:Specialization; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers