Headquarters
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Network Co-Director
Christine T. Chambers

Knowledge User Co-Director
Emily Gruenwoldt

Associate Scientific Director
Katie Birnie

Board Chair
Julia Hanigsberg

Healthier Canadians through better pain management for children

The opportunity

All children experience pain. Canada is a world leader in children's pain research, and effective treatments do exist, but this research evidence is not consistently mobilized into practice due to barriers and disjointed efforts. Canadian children subsequently suffer undertreated and preventable pain, leading to negative immediate and long-term health outcomes for children and families as well as detrimental impacts on the healthcare system.

How SKIP is seizing the opportunity

Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) is a knowledge mobilization network, based at Dalhousie University and co-led by Children’s Healthcare Canada, that seeks to bridge the gap between current treatment practices and available evidence-based solutions for children's pain in Canadian health institutions. SKIP's vision is healthier Canadians through better pain management for children, with a mission to improve children's pain management by mobilizing evidence-based solutions through coordination and collaboration. SKIP brings together Canada's world-renowned pediatric pain research community, front-line knowledge user organizations and end beneficiaries.

Among the results

• To increase understanding of knowledge user needs, assets and gaps, SKIP conducted a needs assessment. SKIP continues to conduct readiness for change assessments, and summarize and organize current evidence and resources in priority areas.
• SKIP is increasing access to effective pain management tools for diverse knowledge users. Using a “Patients Included” approach, SKIP co-produces and promotes knowledge mobilization tools for patients, caregivers, health professionals, administrators and policy makers. Tools include checklists, summaries, templated policies, videos, and other digital content, such as the use of health professional social networking platforms as communities of practice. SKIP also led the first national health standard for Pediatric Pain Management.
• SKIP continues to improve institutional capacity to implement evidence-based pain management. Knowledge brokers situated at six SKIP hubs across the country serve as change catalysts, engage stakeholders, and help health institutions access, adapt, and implement evidence. SKIP is working to increase the number of Canadian institutions pursuing ChildKind certification (a global indicator of institutional commitment and excellence in pediatric pain management).
• To improve public understanding about pain in children and its consequences, SKIP continues to grow its online presence. SKIP has a website to raise awareness and increase access to resources and is active on social media. SKIP delivers presentations, participates in events for public and professional audiences, and engages with the media.

Connect with SKIP

•  Website
•  Twitter
•  LinkedIn
•  Facebook
•  Videos