Parental Experiences of Paediatric Chronic Pain Management Services

An in-depth analysis of parents’ experiences and perceptions of their child’s pain management is required to understand best practice in this developing area. Aim: This qualitative study examined parents’ experiences of paediatric chronic pain management services in the United Kingdom. Methods: A total of 12 participants (10 mothers, 2 fathers), across 10 families, were involved in the study (one family had two children with chronic pain). In-depth interviews were carried out. Data were subjected to an interpretive thematic analysis. Findings: Participants came to pain management services with similar expectations, however there were distinct differences between parents whose children had received in-patient versus out-patient pain management treatment. The mechanisms underlying this parental disenchantment are offered, and findings are discussed in light of the wider chronic pain literature. Recommendations for practitioners working in the field of chronic pain management are presented. Conclusions: Parents are important contributors to the success of pain management interventions, but they may find pain management principles counter-intuitive and incongruent with their perceived goals and needs. Based on this research, recommendations for nurses, and other professionals involved in pain management, are presented.