UCLA Pediatric Pain Program

         The UCLA Pediatric Pain Program offers state-of-the-art medicine in combination with the regenerative power of complementary therapies to treat children suffering from chronic pain. Patients choose from a variety of healing modalities ranging from acupuncture to art therapy. The staff works as a team to develop an individualized approach for each child that involves active participation of the child and family. Collective wisdom and coordinated care greatly enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

Mission Statement

         To manage pain and disease symptoms in children, adolescents, and young adults through creative use of the arts, biomedical sciences, and complementary healing practices, and a focus on the family.

Clinical Objective

        To create new models of health care that integrate a broad spectrum of healing arts and sciences, and to train professionals in using this approach.

Research Objective

        To translate scientific knowledge into practical tools for the treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms.

Educational Outreach Objective

        To develop experiential learning-based programs for families, teachers, community outreach workers, mental health professionals, health care professionals, and the general public, and to increase learning opportunities through the creative use of media.

Comfort Care Resource Program Objective

        The Pediatric Pain Program announces the Children's Comfort Care Resource Program which commenced in June 2005. It is the Department's first initiative in Pediatric Palliative Care. The program's main objectives include developing a departmental awareness regarding pediatric palliative care through promoting education and resources in this area. These objectives will be mainly carried out through a monthly department task force forum and working group subcommittees that are multidisciplinary. Educational objectives include a monthly Comfort Care Panel which will consist of a rotating multidisciplinary board of in-house experts that will analyze a complex case and create a palliative care treatment plan that is presented to the department.
        Additionally, the Pediatric Residents will receive a palliative care curriculum through a series of noon conference lectures on this topic.
        Other venues for providing educational and resource opportunities in this area will include a collaboration with the UCLA Ethics Center through lectures, membership both on the UCLA Hospital Ethics Committee and Southern California Hospital Ethics Consortium representing pediatric palliative care, and palliative care representation on the Regional Pediatric Ethics Subcommittee.