Abstract
Objective
Reducing pain is one of the main health priorities for children and young people with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), however some studies indicate that pain is not routinely assessed in this patient group. The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs’) beliefs about the role of pain and the prioritisation of its assessment in children and young people with JIA.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs who manage children and young people (CYP) with JIA in the UK (including consultant and trainee paediatric rheumatologists, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists). Data were analysed qualitatively following a framework analysis approach.
Results
Twenty-one HCPs participated. Analyses of the data identified six themes; lack of training and low confidence in pain assessment, reluctance to engage in pain discussions, low prioritisation of pain assessment, specific beliefs about the nature of pain in JIA, treatment of pain in JIA, and undervaluing pain reports. Assessment of pain symptoms was regarded as a low priority and some HCPs actively avoided conversations about pain.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that the assessment of pain in CYP with JIA may be limited by knowledge, skills and attitudinal factors. HCPs' accounts of their beliefs about pain in JIA and their low prioritisation of pain in clinical practice suggest that a shift in perceptions about pain management may be helpful for professionals managing CYP with this condition.
Reducing pain is one of the main health priorities for children and young people with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), however some studies indicate that pain is not routinely assessed in this patient group. The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs’) beliefs about the role of pain and the prioritisation of its assessment in children and young people with JIA.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs who manage children and young people (CYP) with JIA in the UK (including consultant and trainee paediatric rheumatologists, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists). Data were analysed qualitatively following a framework analysis approach.
Results
Twenty-one HCPs participated. Analyses of the data identified six themes; lack of training and low confidence in pain assessment, reluctance to engage in pain discussions, low prioritisation of pain assessment, specific beliefs about the nature of pain in JIA, treatment of pain in JIA, and undervaluing pain reports. Assessment of pain symptoms was regarded as a low priority and some HCPs actively avoided conversations about pain.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that the assessment of pain in CYP with JIA may be limited by knowledge, skills and attitudinal factors. HCPs' accounts of their beliefs about pain in JIA and their low prioritisation of pain in clinical practice suggest that a shift in perceptions about pain management may be helpful for professionals managing CYP with this condition.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 69-77 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Arthritis Care & Research |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 10 Jan 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms
- Lydia Becker Institute
