• Jennifer A Rabbitts, Rachel V Aaron, Emma Fisher, Emily A Lang, Caroline Bridgwater, Gabrielle Ghafari Tai, and Tonya M Palermo.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: jennifer.rabbitts@seattlechildrens.org.
• J Pain. 2017 Jul 1; 18 (7): 778-786.

AbstractResearch developing targeted treatment focused on coping with children's long-term pain after surgery is needed because of the high prevalence of chronic pain after surgery. This qualitative study aimed to: 1) understand the child's and family's experiences of pain over the course of their surgical experience, and 2) gather stakeholder input regarding potential barriers and facilitators of perioperative intervention delivery. Fifteen children ages 10 to 18 years who underwent recent major surgery, their primary caregivers, and 17 perioperative health care providers were interviewed. Interviews were coded using semantic thematic analysis. The perioperative period presented emotional challenges for families. Families felt unprepared for surgery and pain. Recovery and regaining physical functioning at home was challenging. Families struggled to return to valued activities. Families reported interest in a perioperative psychosocial intervention. Providers endorsed that families would benefit from enhanced coping skills. They emphasized that families would benefit from more detailed preparatory information. Providers suggested that flexible intervention delivery at home would be ideal. Research developing interventions addressing pain and anxiety in children undergoing major surgery is critically needed. The findings of the present study can inform intervention development with the aim of improving short- as well as long-term recovery in children undergoing major surgery.Copyright © 2017 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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