For Families


General Resources



Our group has published two booklets for families on pediatric pain:
PainPainGoAway

Pain, Pain Go Away: Helping Children with Pain is a booklet to help parents understand pain.

Making Cancer Less Painful: A Handbook for Parents is a booklet to help parents understand pain and teach them how they can help their child deal with pain from cancer.



Check out our Resources section for links to family-friendly materials on pediatric pain.


Ask Dr. Pat
Parents have always sought out wise counsel about the challenges they face in raising their children. In past generations, this information came from grandparents or other family members. Today, families are more sophisticated and want advice informed by the latest and best scientific evidence. With Ask Dr. Pat they receive step-by-step specific advice rather than general advice on their query.

Click here to "Ask Dr. Pat"



Treatment Resources

• Pediatric patients with chronic pain in the Maritime Provinces can be referred to the Complex Pain Service at the IWK Health Centre. Consultation by the Acute Pain Service (inpatients) can be arranged by calling the Clinical Nurse Specialist at (902) 470-8769, or by paging the Pain Physician on-call. Out-patient consultation requests for the Pediatric Complex Pain Clinic can be arranged by referral from your family doctor or other physician, and should be faxed to Lori Campbell at (902) 470-7911. Click here for more information on the Complex Pain Service.

• The Pediatric Health Psychology Service at the IWK Health Centre runs a 6 week cognitive-behavioural treatment group for children aged 8-12 years with recurrent abdominal pain and their parents. The next group is scheduled to begin in September 2010. We also provide services for children who require assistance with coping and pain during medical procedures. For referral information contact Heather Morash at 470-8406 or heather.morash@iwk.nshealth.ca


Participate in Our Research

We are always looking for families who want to participate in one of our on-going research studies. Please see the links below to learn more about our current studies.

  • Dr. Chambers' team is currently looking for healthy children aged 8-14 years in the Halifax area to participate in various studies - Click here to learn more.
  • Dr. McGrath's team is currently looking for healthy teenagers between the ages of 13-18 to participate in a study on friendships - Click here to learn more.