Ambulance service study to help improve pain management for children and young people

A new study involving several ambulance services is looking to improve pain management for acute incidents among children and young people.

North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) are taking part in the Pain mAnagement for childreN and young people attendeD by Ambulance (PANDA) study. 

Acute pain lasts less than 12 weeks and can arise from various causes such as injuries (wounds, burns, or broken bones) or illnesses (such as abdominal pain).

The PANDA study is seeking input from parents/carers and ambulance clinicians to develop and test new approaches for improving pain management whilst under ambulance service care.

Each year, approximately 86,000 children and young people under the age of 18 are transported by ambulance to emergency departments due to acute pain, nationwide.

Clinicians alleviate the pain at the scene and during transport to hospital, however, treating pain in children and young people can present challenges, research shows that:

• Around 60% of child/young person patients do not receive effective pain treatment
• Ineffective pain treatment can lead to adverse effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To learn more about the PANDA Study and how to participate, please visit: PANDA Study Contact Form.

Participants will receive a £20 gift voucher as a token of appreciation for their time and contribution.

---

To read similar articles, check out our Frontline channel