Title: Research Trainee
Email: paula.forgeron@iwk.nshealth.ca

Paula started her nursing career 20 years ago and has spent most of it caring for children in a variety of settings, including working abroad. She completed her Master in Nursing Degree at Dalhousie University in 2003 and returned to pursue doctoral studies in September 2006. Since completing her Master's degree she has been working as the Clinical Nurse Specialist on the Pediatric Pain Service at the IWK Health Centre. Her research interests stem from issues encountered in this clinical setting. In particular she is interested in the social impact of chronic pain on adolescents, especially the impact on their friendships and other peer relationships. She is presently conducting the first study in her doctoral research program. This phenomenological study is exploring the friendship experiences of adolescents with chronic pain through in-depth interview. The findings from this study will help to inform subsequent studies in her research program. In addition she is also interested in the care that children suffering with pain receive in less developed countries and has been involved in two international research programs (Jordan and Thailand) with colleagues from both Canada and the respective countries aimed at aimed at improving pediatric pain management for hospitalized children. The present international study in Thailand is also exploring the applicability of the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) knowledge translation framework in this setting.