Interprofessional Education Between Recreational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology in Long-Term Care

Pediatric patients with chronic pain are at risk for long- term opioid addiction as adults, have limited pediatric treatment options, and commonly experience barriers to developmentally appropriate recreation, leisure, and play opportunities. Interdisciplinary approaches to creating evidence-based therapeutic programs for this population are called for in the literature yet few exist. This qualitative study examines the Kids B.E.A.R. Pain Protocol, an interdisciplinary approach created by professionals in public health, child psychology, and recreational therapy healthcare fields. The major overarching theme of psychosocial support emerged after analyzing semi-structured interviews with adolescent patients, parents, and staff associated with the Kids B.E.A.R. Pain Protocol. Four corresponding subthemes were present including: 1) enhanced social networks, 2) giving and receiving support, 3) inclusive and normalizing nature of the intervention, and 4) social comparisons with similar others. Preliminary qualitative evidence supports the continued implementation of this interdisciplinary Kids B.E.A.R. Pain Protocol with future research needed to better understand the generalizability of a wider patient population.