‘There is no need to have different measures of pain specifically for children.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 11 Marks: use generic levels of response in table C. Syllabus: measuring pain: pain measures for children (paediatric pain questionnaire, Varni and Thompson, 1976; Wong-Baker scale, 1987) Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited): No need: ∞ a practioner (or any person) can observe a child and make a judgement about their pain ∞ some adult visual analogue scales are the same as scales for children (point to a number on scale) ∞ colouring in areas of the body where the pain is irrelevant, a child can point to the painful area ∞ some children are too young to complete a child-specific measure Is a need: ∞ the child may not be able to describe their pain or understand an adult scale (a child cannot do the MPQ) ∞ the use of 'pain faces' (e.g. Wong-Baker) may be more child friendly – like 'playing a game' ∞ more detailed measures (e.g. Paediatric Pain Questionnaire) are child friendly, less detailed than the MPQ