Mission and Goals

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Pediatric pain is a common condition of childhood/adolescence. As such, many pediatric psychologists research and provide clinical care in this area. Specialized programs are typically interdisciplinary. The Pain SIG provides a forum for communication and discussion about the many developments in the field.

The goals of this SIG are to:

• advance the  knowledge base of pediatric pain, including factors contributing to chronic pain and associated disability, as well as assessment and intervention with patients and families experiencing pediatric pain;
• support the training of pediatric psychology students pursuing experiences in the assessment and treatment of pediatric pain;
• foster networking and communication among pediatric psychologists providing care to patients with pediatric pain; and
• foster networking and communication with other disciplines and organizations involved in pediatric pain (i.e., International Association for the Study of Pain).

These goals will be met through meetings and symposia at SPP/APA conferences, communication through our email list and the SPP website, and collaborating with other organizations.

Please also check out the SIG webpage (http://ppainsig.weebly.com/) for additional resources related to the education, research, and clinical practice of pediatric pain psychology.

Leadership

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Emily Wakefield, PhD (co-Chair)
Connecticut Children's

Sarah Nelson, PhD (co-Chair)
Boston Children's