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Dawson E, Greenfield K, Carter B, Bailey S, Anderson AK, Rajapakse D, Renton K, Mott C, Hain R, Harrop E, Johnson M, Liossi C. Definition and Assessment of Paediatric Breakthrough Pain: A Qualitative Interview Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:485. [PMID: 38671702 PMCID: PMC11049523 DOI: 10.3390/children11040485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Infants, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions often experience acute, transient pain episodes known as breakthrough pain. There is currently no established way to assess breakthrough pain in paediatric palliative care. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated, resulting in reduced quality of life. The development of a standardised paediatric breakthrough pain assessment, based on healthcare professionals' insights, could improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to explore how healthcare professionals define and assess breakthrough pain in paediatric palliative care and their attitudes towards a validated paediatric breakthrough pain assessment. This was a descriptive qualitative interview study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 healthcare professionals working in paediatric palliative care across the UK. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Five themes were generated: 'the elusive nature of breakthrough pain', 'breakthrough pain assessment', 'positive attitudes towards', 'reservations towards' and 'features to include in' a paediatric breakthrough pain assessment. The definition and assessment of breakthrough pain is inconsistent in paediatric palliative care. There is a clear need for a validated assessment questionnaire to improve assessment, diagnosis and management of breakthrough pain followed by increased healthcare professional education on the concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Dawson
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield SO17 1BJ, UK (K.G.)
| | - Katie Greenfield
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield SO17 1BJ, UK (K.G.)
| | - Bernie Carter
- Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK;
| | - Simon Bailey
- Department of Children’s Oncology, Great North Children’s Hospital, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK
| | | | - Dilini Rajapakse
- The Louis Dundas Centre, Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Kate Renton
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Naomi House & Jacksplace, Stockbridge Road, Sutton Scotney, Winchester SO21 3JE, UK
| | - Christine Mott
- Acorns Children’s Hospice, 103 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6HZ, UK
- Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK
| | - Richard Hain
- Department of Child Health, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK;
| | - Emily Harrop
- Helen & Douglas House Hospices, 14A Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RW, UK;
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | | | - Christina Liossi
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield SO17 1BJ, UK (K.G.)
- Psychological Medicine, Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
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