Methodological issues in the measurement of children's pain.

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on some of the major issues surrounding the measurement of children's pain, particularly as they relate to problems of definition, level of measurement, dimensionality, reliability, and validity. The authors briefly describe some of the tools used with children and point out some of the problems that have resulted from the lack of well-tested, thoroughly validated instruments for children. As a common experience of hospitalized children, pediatric pain is creating concern within the health care community. The authors recommend that more attention be paid to the measurement issues surrounding this clinical phenomenon.