You can help ambulance trusts improve pain management for children through the Pain mAnagement for childreN and young people attendeD by Ambulance (PANDA) study.
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) is taking part in the PANDA study, along with the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS). The study aims to explore the experiences of children and young people who have experienced an ambulance call out for acute pain.
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 seeks input from their parents/carers and ambulance clinicians to develop and test new approaches for improving pain management whilst under the care of NEAS.
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.
North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) 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).
The study is seeking participants who fall into the following categories:
Young People:
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Aged 16 or 17 years.
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Have experienced acute pain, in England, within the last 12 months; requiring an ambulance.
Parents/Carers:
- Have a child or young person under 18 years who has experienced acute pain in England within the last 12 months; requiring an ambulance.
Exclusion Criteria:
However, participation is not possible if:
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You are a young person aged 16-17 years who has suffered potentially life-threatening injuries or illnesses (e.g., major trauma, cardiac arrest).
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You are a parent/carer under the age of 16 years.
To take part in the study, the following will be asked of you:
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Providing consent: consent can be given electronically or through a paper form.
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Sharing your experience: participants can choose to share their experiences via an interview, a diary, or both.
Participants will receive a £20 gift voucher as a token of appreciation for their time and contribution.
To learn more about the PANDA Study and how to participate, please visit: PANDA Study Contact Form
*Please note, participation in this study will help improve future emergency care for children and young people experiencing acute pain and that while no significant risks are anticipated, discussing past painful events may cause emotional distress.
In this case, interviews can be paused, and if needed, discontinued.