BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL PAIN MANAGEMENT IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to develop best practice recommendations for nurses on non-pharmacological pain management methods for pediatric oncology patients. Pain occurs in approximately 20-50% of all cancer patients and 80% of those with advanced-stage cancer report moderate to severe pain (National Cancer Institute, 2016). Consequently, pain management is an integral part of treatment. Pain considerations in the pediatric population are unique and differ from those for adults. Depending on their developmental stage, some are not able to describe their pain or understand the causes behind it. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the nurse to assess and effectively manage pain in pediatric patients. This is often done with the help of pharmacological methods. Although this is a necessary component of pain management, adjuvant options do exist. The purpose of this Honor’s thesis is to develop and implement an educational presentation within the setting of a hospital that will provide nurses and other staff with the necessary evidence-based information about nonpharmacological pain management methods so that they can feel comfortable implementing them in their practice.