The attitudes of senior emergency medical care students and early career emergency care practitioners to paediatric pain management

Smit, Suzan-Lynn

The attitudes of senior emergency medical care students and early career emergency care practitioners to paediatric pain management

Author(s)

Smit, Suzan-Lynn

Date Issued

2026

Type

master thesis

Publisher

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Abstract

Paediatric pain is poorly managed, due to a combination of practitioner factors, patient factors and environmental factors. This study focused on the practitioners ‘factors related to paediatric pain management in the prehospital field. Specifically including attitudes, perceived readiness and confidence, beliefs and perceptions, and self-reported barriers and enablers. The aim is to explore the attitudes of senior undergraduate students and early career emergency medical care practitioners toward paediatric pain management and their self-reported readiness to manage paediatrics for pain. Data collection was done in two phases: phase one consisted of face-to-face, one-on-one, semistructured interviews with exit level undergraduate participants. A total of 10 interviews were recorded and transcribed until saturation was reached. Phase two consisted of an online survey disseminated using social media networks to early career emergency care practitioners. The survey consisted of open-ended questions that were developed from themes emerging from phase one. Saturation was reached after twelve submissions. The phase one findings highlighted the perceived insufficiencies of the undergraduate program. This included curriculum theory, simulation and work integrated learning placement. The lack of exposure and experience and perceived poor preparation resulted in poor attitudes, a perceived lack of readiness and low levels of confidence. Despite these insufficiencies identified in the undergraduate participants, there was a strong theoretical understanding of the importance of paediatric pain management, although this understanding seemed to be limited to a theoretical level and had yet to be internalised. The phase two participants appreciated the significance and importance of the paediatric pain experience. Phase two data echoed some sentiments found in the phase one data. Initial readiness was found to be lacking in phase two data, similarly, attributed to the shortcomings in the undergraduate program as well as limited experience and exposure. Mechanisms found to supplement these perceived gaps in knowledge and readiness led to the development of collegial networks and search for further teaching and learning programs. Informal collegial networks emergedamongst new practitionersthat allowed for support, sharing knowledge as well as consulting. A lack of teaching and learning programs regarding paediatric patients, and specifically paediatric pain management programs were also identified. In conclusion, exit level undergraduate participants felt insufficiently prepared, and weren’t ready or confident to manage paediatric patients in pain. Similarly, findings were obtained in the early career practitioner participants, where the perceived poor sense of readiness was also found and led to different ways of supplementing were informally developed. The attitudes of participants, in both phase one and two, were found to be missing the potential development and fortification that could be gained from the undergraduate program as well as appropriate experience and exposure. Recommendations include the analysis and development of the undergraduate program regarding paediatric pain management. Continuous professional development programs focusing on paediatric pain management should be created to allow for the growth of graduated practitioners. Creating collegial networks available for all Emergency Care Practitioners is also recommended as it was found to be a significant enabler.

Additional information

Thesis (Master of Emergency Medical Care (MEMC))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2026

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