Introduction: To date research on neonatal pain has focused mainly on acute or procedural pain. It is recognised that prolonged or chronic pain exists in this age group. Studies on this subject fail to provide a clear description of chronic pain in the neonate.
Objectives: To identify the most appropriate consensus-building method in order to answer three research questions concerning the definition of chronic pain in the neonate, the etiology and the clinical signs and symptoms.
Methodology: We performed a literature search with regards to the methodology of the Delphi method, the Nominal Group Technique and the Consensus Development Conference.
Results: We found only sparse data reviewing the Nominal Group Technique and the Consensus Development Method. More data was found for the Delphi method.
Discussion: We chose to design a Delphi survey in the light of our research questions. The main arguments were the ability to include experts from all over the globe, and the low probability of introducing bias.
Conclusion: All three methods have strong and weak points. A major criterion should be the validity of the design. However, conclusions on validity are hampered by the marginal amount of papers found for two of the three designs.
AllenJDyasJJonesM (2004) Building consensus in health care: a guide to using the nominal group technique. British Journal of Community Nursing9(3): 110–114.
2.
Anand KJ and Hickey PR (1987) Pain and its effects in the human neonate and fetus. New England Journal of Medicine 317(21): 1321–1329.
3.
BakerJLovellKHarrisN (2006) How expert are the experts? An exploration of the concept of ‘expert’ within Delphi panel techniques. Nurse Researcher14(1): 59–70.
4.
BoyleEMFreerYWongCMMcIntoshNAnandKJ (2006) Assessment of persistent pain or distress and adequacy of analgesia in preterm ventilated infants. Pain124(1–2): 87–91.
5.
BurgersJSBoluytNAssendelftWJJvan EverdingenJJEBurgersJSAssendelftWJJSwinkelsJAvan BarneveldTAvan de KlundertJLM (2004) Methoden van richtlijnontwikkeling [Methods for guideline development]. Evidence-based richtlijnontwikkeling [Evidence-based Guideline Development]. Houten: Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum18–35.
6.
DebillonTZupanVRavaultNMagnyJFDehanM (2001) Development and initial validation of the EDIN scale, a new tool for assessing prolonged pain in preterm infants. Archives of Disease in Childhood – Fetal and Neonatal Edition85(1): F36–F41.
7.
GrunauREAnandKJStevensBJMcGrathP (2007) Long-term consequences of pain in human neonates. Pain in Neonates and Infants3rd edToronto: Elsevier45–55.
8.
HummelPPuchalskiMCreechSDWeissMG (2008) Clinical reliability and validity of the N-PASS: neonatal pain, agitation and sedation scale with prolonged pain. Journal of Perinatology28(1): 55–60.
JonesJHunterD (1995) Consensus methods for medical and health services research. British Medical Journal311(7001): 376–380.
11.
KeeneySHassonFMcKennaHP (2001) A critical review of the Delphi technique as a research methodology for nursing. International Journal of Nursing Studies38(2): 195–200.
12.
McGlynnEAKosecoffJBrookRH (1990) Format and conduct of consensus development conferences. Multi-nation comparison. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care6(3): 450–469.
13.
O’BrienMBuikstraEFallonTHegneyD (2009) Exploring the influence of psychological factors on breastfeeding duration, phase 1: perceptions of mothers and clinicians. Journal of Human Lactation25(1): 55–63.
14.
PerryS (1987) The NIH consensus development program. A decade later. New England Journal of Medicine317(8): 485–488.
15.
PerrySKalbererJTJr (1980) The NIH consensus-development program and the assessment of health-care technologies: the first two years. New England Journal of Medicine303(3): 169–172.
16.
Pillai RiddellRRStevensBJMcKeeverPGibbinsSAsztalosLKatzJ (2009) Chronic pain in hospitalized infants: health professionals’ perspectives. J Pain10(12): 1217–1225.
17.
PrasadSAMainEDoddME (2008) Finding consensus on the physiotherapy management of asymptomatic infants with cystic fibrosis. Pediatric Pulmonology43(3): 236–244.
18.
RitzenEMBerghABjerknesRChristiansenPCortesDHaugenSE (2007) Nordic consensus on treatment of undescended testes. Acta Paediatrica96(5): 638–643.
19.
StevensBJPillai RiddellRROberlanderTFGibbinsSAnandKJStevensBJMcGrathP (2007) Assessment of pain in neonates and infants. Pain in Neonates and Infants. Edinburgh: Elsevier67–90.
20.
TurkDCOkifujiALoeserJD (2001) Pain terms and taxonomies of pain. Bonica’s Management of Pain3rd edPhiladelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins17–25.
21.
van DijkMRoofthooftDWAnandKJGuldemondFdeGJSimonsS (2009) Taking up the challenge of measuring prolonged pain in (premature) neonates: the COMFORTneo scale seems promising. Clinical Journal of Pain25(7): 607–616.
