Grant: Knowledge Synthesis Grant

Pain is the most common reason that people seek health care in the western world. There have been concerns raised by professional organizations about how children may not be receiving optimal management of their pain. Currently, there is large variation in how health care providers treat children's pain. Many of the commonly used medications have been shown to be effective in reducing their pain. However, it remains unclear how safe these medications are and whether some of them are safer than others. In this project, we will systematically review the evidence on the safety of commonly used medications that are used to treat children's pain in acute care settings. These medications including acetaminophen (tylenol), non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen), and opioids (such as morphine and codeine). The results of this project will help guide doctors and other health professionals in deciding on appropriate treatments to ease children's pain.