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The Pivotal Role of Pediatric Psychology in Chronic Pain: Opportunities for Informing and Promoting New Research and Intervention in a Shifting Healthcare Landscape

  • Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Headache and Pain (D Buse, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

In the context of new efforts to formulate more comprehensive diagnostic and treatment processes for chronic pain conditions, this review aims to provide an overview of some of the most salient developments in the diagnosis and clinical treatment of pediatric chronic pain and to delineate the current and future role of clinical pediatric psychologists in these efforts.

Recent Findings

The acceptance and promotion of the multidisciplinary approach to pediatric pain management has had an especially significant impact on the field of pediatric psychology. Though chronic pain was historically conceptualized as a biomedical problem, psychology is increasingly viewed as a routine, integral, and component part of treatment. With this evolving biopsychosocial paradigm, pediatric psychology is poised to help shape the development of this field, contributing to emerging conceptual and diagnostic frameworks via consultation, research, clinical care, and education.

Summary

This review discusses the role of pediatric psychologists as collaborators in emerging diagnostic and assessment frameworks, leaders in pain-related research, drivers of clinical care, and educators for providers, patients, and the lay public. With increased opportunities to enhance the conceptualization and treatment of pediatric pain, pediatric psychologists have an important role to play in reducing the prevalence and persistence of pediatric pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Sarah Nelson & Rachael Coakley

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Sarah Nelson & Rachael Coakley

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  1. Sarah Nelson
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  2. Rachael Coakley
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Correspondence to Rachael Coakley.

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Sarah Nelson and Rachael Coakley declare no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Headache and Pain

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Nelson, S., Coakley, R. The Pivotal Role of Pediatric Psychology in Chronic Pain: Opportunities for Informing and Promoting New Research and Intervention in a Shifting Healthcare Landscape. Curr Pain Headache Rep 22, 76 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0726-0

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