Pain in Childhood SIG

Mission Statement

The mission of the Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group (SIG) shall be to share and improve professional and scientific knowledge regarding pain in childhood to the benefit of children, their families and communities.

To achieve this, the SIG shall:

• Promote communication and collaboration among scientists and multidisciplinary health professionals with special interests and knowledge in pain in childhood;
• Encourage education and research in pain in childhood;
• Provide focus within the parent Pain Society for matters relating to pain in childhood.

Childhood includes all phases of human development from birth through transition to adulthood.

Pain in Childhood includes pain experienced or witnessed during childhood, and includes the experiences of young people who care for another with pain.

Executive Roles, Terms and Functions

Although they will be constituted separately, it is anticipated that the Australian and New Zealand Pain in Childhood SIGs will share common objectives and meetings. Therefore the following SIG Executive structure and logistics are proposed:

Role	Membership	Term
Australian Chairperson	APS	2 years
New Zealand Chairperson	NZPS	2 years
Honorary Secretary	1 each	2 years; can stand for up to 6 years
Communication Officer	Either	2 years; can stand for up to 6 years
A representative from each Parent Pain Society Board	1 each	To be determined by the respective Pain Society Boards. APS Board Representative: Ms Fiona Hodson

Current Office Bearers

Australian Pain Society Pain in Childhood SIG Executive for 2013-2014
Chair	Dr Susie Lord
Secretary	Ms Megan James
Communications Officer	Ms Sueanne Penrose
New Zealand Pain Society Pain in Childhood SIG Executive for 2013-2015
Chair	Dr Andy Liley
Secretary	Ms Kath Berry

 

Aims and Objectives

• AGMs shall be held jointly.
• The Australian and New Zealand Chairpersons shall take turns in chairing the AGMs.
• If we are required to minute the AGMs separately, the Australians present shall be considered invited visitors for the purposes of the NZ SIG AGM, and vice versa.
• Where matters concern both countries, consensus shall be sought.
• Where matters are relevant exclusively to one of the partner countries, only the SIG members from that country will vote in relation to those matters.
• The Honorary Secretary shall manage official correspondence, agendas and minutes.
• The Communication Officer shall manage relevant website content, communications with members and external partners (with consent of the parent Pain Society Board as required).
• A member of the SIG Executive shall represent the SIG on the Scientific Program Committee of each National Pain Society ASM.

Pain in Childhood SIG Membership Information:

Must have current APS membership to join the SIG

Annual SIG Fee: $30

Download the SIG membership form

Useful Links

IASP SIG on Pain in Childhood
British Pain Society Pain in Children SIG
Siblings Australia website

References

WHO Guidelines on the Pharmacological Treatment of Persisting Pain in Children with Medical Illnesses
WHO - Persisting Pain in Children: Important Information for Pharmacists
WHO - Persisting Pain in Children: Important Information for Physicians and Nurses
WHO - Persisting Pain in Children: Important Information for Policy Makers