#69. Changing the Culture of Pediatric Pain at Institutional Level

Pediatric pain has been left on the back burner for decades now-- where many clinicians 30 years ago thought that infants did not feel pain. With the progress made, both in pain management and technology, it’s about time that we call institutions to shift the culture, so we can work towards making pain visible-- so we can provide comfort to children patients that they desire and deserve.

 

In this episode, I’ve brought back Dr. Neil Schechter, to discuss his endeavor, ChildKind International. This passion project of his aims to have an open-access library to serve as a clearinghouse for information on pediatric pain research, and can serve as a reference to improve children's pain management.

 

ChildKind offers a certification for hospitals based on their commitment to and availability of certain measures to address pediatric pain and comfort adequately. Being certified, fosters trust from parents, promoting a positive experience for both patient and parent. In addition, with a pain management system throughout the institution contributes to higher staff retention and lower healthcare provider burnout.

 

With this huge step forward in creating accessible pain care, it’s up to us as clinicians to offer the same amount of care for our patients regardless of where they present for their care -- because it is not only the pain team or service's responsibility. It is all our responsibility. 

 

Takeaways In This Episode

The current practices of handling pediatric pain What Childkind International is and what led to its creation How to enact change within the institution ChildKind’s mission and 5 Principles ChildKind’s role in promoting change and its benefits The importance of change from the top-down and bottom-up Pediatric pain is everyone’s responsibility  Dr. Schechter’s hopes for ChildKind and all healthcare institutions

 

Links

Neil Schechter MD

ChildKind International

Connect with ChildKind International: Facebook  Instagram

LinkedIn

Pedia Pain Focus Epi # 53. Are you making the most of your "Golden Half-Hour" with your pain patients?

Proactive Pain Solutions Physicians Academy

Clinicians’ Pain Evaluation Toolkit

Proactive Pain Solutions

 

About the Guest 

 

Neil Schechter, MD

He is the President and CEO of ChildKind, an international organization dedicated to improving the quality of pediatric care. Currently, he directs the Chronic Pain Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and is an Associate Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Schechter graduated with a medical degree and completed pediatric training at the University of Connecticut. He also did his fellowships at Children’s Hospital and Harvard University in Boston.

His research initially focused on documenting the under-treatment of pain in children and issues of pain that are associated with chronic disease. His research, later on, shifted to the common pains connected to pediatric practice and to create procedures to improve pain-related practice patterns in health care providers and institutions.

Dr. Schechter is a passionate advocate for the betterment of pediatric pain care which allowed him to serve as a member of editorial boards and experts committees including the World Health Organization Committee and Palliative Care and the Task Force on Chronic Pain in Children of American Pain Society. He has also been the recipient of the Jeffrey Lawson Award for Advocacy in Children’s Pain Relief from the American Pain Society.