Psychosocial Forum

Pain management in burn patients consistently occupies a position of prominence at national and regional burn conferences and in related publications. Burn care professionals have come to acknowledge the importance of optimal pain management and have been challenged to increase their knowledge base surrounding this critical aspect of burn care. The understanding and management of pediatric pain management has presented an even greater challenge. This article is the last in a series of articles devoted to pediatric pain management. The series is presented in the spirit of acknowledging contributions of dedicated researchers and clinicians and of providing a consolidation of materials spanning theoretical understanding and practical application. My thanks to the authors and to those who have served as guest editors. Their knowledge of the topic matter and sensitivity to the comfort level of young burn patients is inspirational and gratifying. A special thanks to Thurber, Martin-Herz, and Patterson for their excellent two-part article, The Psychological Principles of Burn Wound Pain in Children I. Theoretical Framework, and II. Treatment Applications, which provided a framework upon which to build and understand subsequent material. And to Stoddard, Sheridan, Saxe, King, Chedekel, Schnitzer, and Martyn for one of the most comprehensive and thorough articles written on the treatment of burn pain. Your collective efforts have provided a major contribution to the treatment of pediatric burn patients.