Working with a child in pain is difficult, unavoidable and especially challenging when the child cannot explain what they are feeling. In this important book, Bernie Carter and Joan Simons bring together experience, evidence and research to deconstruct the topic and present the reality of children's pain.
Each chapter starts with a personal story from a child, a family member or a healthcare professional. The stories are drawn from a wealth of original research, and focus the reader on the individual child and their family. The chapter then goes on to introduce the relevant research, theory and implications for practice, so health professionals can use the evidence to support compassionate, child-centred care.
Among the topics addressed are:
- Ethical dilemmas
- Assessing pain
- Working in different settings
- Inexplicable pain
It is valuable reading for any healthcare student or professional working with children of all ages.
Managing Neonatal Pain
Advice on Discharge
Managing Procedural Pain
Pain in Sickle Cell Disease
Parents Managing their Children's Pain
Existential Pain and the Importance of Place and Presence
Managing Pain in PICU
Assessing and Managing Pain in a Child Who is Cognitively Impaired
Fear, Pain and Illness
Acute Pain Developing into Chronic Pain
Language, Metaphor, Imagery and the Expression of Pain
Minor Injury, Acute Pain, Wounds and What Really Hurts
Nonpharmacological Methods of Pain Relief
Neuropathic Pain
Organisational Imperatives and Individual Responsibility to Avoid Poor Pain Management
