The role of psychology in the management of pediatric pain
- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Location: Napier 102 lecture theatre, Napier building, University of Adelaide, North Terrace campus
- More information: and registration via EventBrite
- Contact: Anne Jurisevic anne.jurisevic@adelaide.edu.au
Please join us for a special international guest seminar by Dr Rachael Coakley on the role of psychology in the management of pediatric pain.
Rachael is a pediatric pain psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital where she serves as the Director of Clinical Innovation and Outreach in Pain Medicine. She is also an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School.
Chronic pain in pediatrics impacts one in five kids and is one of the most expensive healthcare issues in the world. Persistent pain–such as headache, abdominal pain, nerve pain and musculoskeletal pain–wreaks havoc on a child’s life, tripling the risk for anxiety and depression, and interfering with school, sleep, activities and peer relationships. Parents are also deeply affected by their child’s suffering.
Scientific studies spanning more than two decades consistently find that kids recover better when they are engaged in a multidisciplinary recovery plan that includes evidence-based psychological care. However, most kids and families are not finding their way to these treatments.
This presentation will review the knowledge to practice gap that has hindered the field of pediatric pain, present five practical things that every child provider needs to know to support families on the path to recovery and discuss helpful resources for the ongoing care of a child with pain. This presentation will provide recommendations for the integration of psychological skills in the medical, home and school setting.