{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"#82. Chronic Pediatric Pain in 2021: US Pain Foundation Report","description":"Chronic pain is often overlooked, and when it comes to children, it is even more so.  The continued neglect of children's pain affects the ability to truly evaluate the extent of the problem and challenges these kids and their families face.   The United States Pain Foundation, a pain advocacy organization, conducted a survey to assess how children with a pain diagnosis and their families experience chronic pain, what challenges and barriers they face and what they hope for in their pain care.    In this episode, I\u2019m joined by Nicole Hemmenway, the current CEO of the US Pain Foundation and the Founder of the INvisible Project and Casey Cashman, Director of Fundraising and the Pediatric Pain Warrior Program part of the US Pain Foundation. They are strong advocates for pediatric pain, inspired by their own pain experiences. They discuss the findings of this survey, share their experiences with the pediatric pain patients and families that they support through their programs.  They also share their hopes and some possible directions to address some of the challenges identified in this survey.   As healthcare professionals and clinicians, these findings are eye opening and a call for action to collectively invoke change  in the care of pediatric chronic pain.   Takeaways In This Episode   Chronic pain is frequently overlooked due to its subjective nature Why Ms. Hemmenway and Ms. Cashman got involved in the pediatric pain work, US Pain Foundation and the Pediatric Pain Warrior program The reason(s) that prompted this survey Survey findings How much focus should be on the number rating of the pain and how meaningful, helpful that is. Valuable way to assess and inquire about chronic pain and a patient's progress Psychological impact, extent of mental health issues including self-harm, suicidal thoughts, ideation and attempts amongst pediatric chronic pain patients Burden of disease on the family - financial and  psychosocial What therapies do patients and families wish were emphasized more - (Hint: Medications were at the bottom of the wishlist!)  Barriers to chronic pain care Psychological toll of having to evaluate whether you can afford a therapy and how it may be\/ to address it. Best ways for parents to discuss these barriers with their child\u2019s physician Nicole and Casey's message to the listeners   Links Nicole Hemmenway Casey Cashman Connect with Nicole Hemmenway and Casey Cashman US Pain Foundation-Pediatric Pain Report 2021  Pediatric Pain Warrior Support Groups U.S. Pain Foundation Pediatric Pain Warrior  Register for upcoming Pediatric Pain Warrior Support Group Clinicians\u2019 Pain Evaluation Toolkit Proactive Pain Solutions   About the Speakers   Nicole Hemmenway Currently serves as CEO of the U.S. Pain Foundation, and directs the INvisible Project, an online and print magazine that highlights the experiences of people living with pain. Nicole is also an author and motivational speaker. Her book, No, It Is NOT in My Head: The Journey of a Chronic Pain Survivor from Wheelchair to Marathon, details her struggles and triumphs in dealing with complex regional pain syndrome, a debilitating neurological disorder. In September 2015, Nicole was featured in a campaign in USA Today in recognition of her role as an advocate for those living with chronic pain; and in 2017, she received the Unsung Hero Award for her work in the pain community. Nicole lives in the Bay Area with her husband and three young sons.   Casey Cashman Serves as the Director of Fundraising and the Pediatric Pain Warrior Program. Casey Cashman uses her voice to fight passionately for the rights of people with pain, especially children. She has lived most of her life with multiple, serious health conditions, including reflex sympathetic dystrophy\/CRPS and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, among others.    Over the years, she began to connect more with patient organizations and realized she had a passion for helping others like her. In 2015, she was featured as a participant in the INvisible Project, which led to her joining the U.S. Pain Foundation as a staff member.   Before U.S. Pain Foundation, Casey spent many years working in Human Resources. She brings this knowledge and experience to the table in her role as director of the Pediatric Pain Warriors Program, where she provides compassionate support to kids with pain and their families as they travel along their pain journeys.    Casey also spearheads U.S. Pain\u2019s fundraising efforts, and has helped create various programs and collaborations designed to support the organization\u2019s free programs and services   Her son, Tyler, is also a budding advocate for the pain community. In honor of his mom, he founded Points for Pain, a fundraising program that has raised more than $100,000 for pediatric patients.      ","author_name":"Pedia Pain Focus","author_url":"https:\/\/www.proactivepainsolutions.com","html":"