Pedia Pain Focus

Treatment interventions based in psychology form the mainstay of pain management, particularly for children's pain. Yet, these may not receive the due priority and/or many not be easily accessible for patients and families. Use of psychological based treatments for pain may inadvertently create stigma around the nature of the child's pain diagnosis, for patients, families and even the healthcare professionals who may not be familiar with pain management.  The end result being, inadequate pain care, mistrust, and frustration for all involved. Dr. Rachael Coakley, PhD. of the Boston Children's Hospital shares the role of, challenges to and her innovative solution, the Comfort Ability Program, to address this gap.  Takeaways in This Episode The reasons for a gap in access to psychological based pain care interventions Stigma around psychological treatments and what might propagate it. Things healthcare professionals do and implement to change the perception around role of psychological treatments Use of metaph