Pediatric Pain Management in the Digital Era: Integrating Technology and Compassionate Care Toward Precision Nursing
Keywords:
precision pain management, integrated pain assessment, pediatric nursing, artificial intelligence, digital healthAbstract
Pediatric pain is a complex, multidimensional experience that differs from adult pain in terms of underlying neurobiological mechanisms, behavioral expression, and long-term developmental consequences. This article aims to synthesize contemporary evidence on pediatric pain management within the context of digital health systems. Key areas addressed include pain mechanisms and their implications for nursing practice, short- and long-term developmental impacts, and the transition from conventional assessment tools to artificial intelligence–based technologies. In addition, an integrated pain assessment framework is presented, emphasizing the use of multidimensional data, alongside the evolving role of nurses as data integrators in pain assessment. The article further discusses evidence-based multimodal pain management and delineates the role of pediatric nurses as both data integrators and guardians of comfort in the digital era. A Precision Pediatric Pain Management Framework is proposed, integrating clinical data, digital technologies, and nursing clinical judgment in a systematic manner. However, implementation remains constrained by ethical considerations, data privacy concerns, algorithm reliability, and the digital competencies of healthcare professionals. Policy and organizational recommendations are therefore outlined to support practical implementation, along with directions for future research to strengthen the evidence base.
In conclusion, effective pediatric pain management in the digital health era requires the integration of scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and compassionate care to ensure precise, continuous, and
patient-centered outcomes.
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