Introducing SKIP: Solutions for Kids in Pain

Pamela Lovelace, MEd, Communications & Project Manager, Solutions for Kids in Pain

Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) is a new Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) knowledge mobilization network based at Dalhousie University, Halifax and co-directed by Children’s Healthcare Canada in Ottawa. SKIP aims to improve children’s pain management in Canada and beyond by bringing together Canada's world-renowned pediatric pain research community, front-line knowledge user organizations, caregivers and patients. More than 100 Canadian and international partners have joined the SKIP Network to put evidence‐based solutions for child pain into practice.

SKIP has four main regional hubs: the IWK Health Centre (Halifax), the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids, Toronto), Stollery Children’s Hospital (Edmonton), and Children’s Healthcare Canada (Ottawa). Dr. Christine Chambers (Dalhousie University), a member of the IMHA Institute Advisory Board, is SKIP’s Scientific Director, and Doug Maynard (Children’s Healthcare Canada) is SKIP’s Knowledge User Director.

Managing pain in kids is not just a nice thing to do. We know now from decades of research that poorly managed pain, especially early in life, compromises children’s brains and bodies. Children who live with pain are at risk of experiencing more pain as adults, avoiding necessary health care like vaccinations, and developing more complex problems with pain, mental health, and addiction. When evidence-based methods aren’t used, the risks increase.

Canada is a world leader in children’s pain research, much of it funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), but this research evidence is not consistently mobilized into practice. There are simple, easy, and cost-effective ways that patients, parents, caregivers, and health professionals can help children have less pain - IF they know about them. The goal of SKIP is to widely disseminate this information. We are pleased to be working with various partners in the area of musculoskeletal health and arthritis, including Cassie + Friends, a BC-based organization that works with stakeholders to transform the lives of kids and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

SKIP welcomes you to join our Network to spread the message that #ItDoesntHaveToHurt and improve children’s pain management! Visit www.kidsinpain.ca to stay up to date and become a SKIP Champion.

Download a printable SKIP postcard [ PDF (1.46 MB) ]
Download a Visual Summary [ PDF (1.36 MB) ]
Follow us on social media at @kidsinpain using the hashtag #ItDoesntHaveToHurt!

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