ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the role of the clinical psychologist and examines the psychological methods of pain relief in more detail. To use psychological methods of pain control it is important to involve a paediatric clinical psychologist. Children's knowledge and level of understanding of their bodies, what is happening to them and why this is happening, needs to be taken into account when using psychological methods to manage pain. Pain is a stressor that affects and disrupts the child's equilibrium. All children have their own ways of trying to restore this when they are affected by a stressor; this is their own coping style. A mnemonic may be used to focus on core issues of the clinical psychologist's role in paediatric pain management, which include the following: needs, interventions, time, plan, involvement and communication – 'NITPIC'. Issues which affect pain measurement include: context of the pain, cultural factors, maturity, intellectual development and experience.
