Our influence on pediatric pain: Occupational therapy ending a world of hurt (February 21, 2023)

In Canada, one in five children and youth experience chronic pain (Health Canada, 2021). “Children with pain have unique needs and when their pain goes unmanaged, it is associated with poor academic, social, and developmental outcomes” (Health Canada, 2021). With wavering validity and efficacy of pharmacological approaches and an opioid epidemic raging in Canada, occupational therapists have a leading role in changing the Canadian health care landscape (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2021; Laekeman et al., 2021; Storz, & Kraft, 2021).

This webinar will provide an overview of the occupational therapy role with children and youth who experience acute pain, chronic/persistent pain, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Pain terminology and pain anatomy/neurology will be reviewed. The focus will be on pediatric pain rehabilitation best practices and the adaptations of occupational therapy assessment and intervention when working with children.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Distinguish acute pain, chronic/persistent pain, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in children and youth.
2. Explain the importance of occupational therapy in pediatric pain rehabilitation.
3. Describe pediatric pain rehabilitation best practices.

Level 
Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific area of practice