Pharmacological and Opioid Management

POM-06 - From Pediatrics to Geriatrics: Optimizing High-Stakes Pain Care Through Smart Prescribing

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

1:50 PM - 2:40 PM PDT

Co-Presenter(s)

Paige Mathew, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP

Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship Clinical Pharmacy Program Manager
Department of Veterans Affairs
Austin, Texas
Alexandra Wood, DNP, PNP-PC

Nurse Practitioner
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Cave Creek, Arizona
Sean J. Gamble, MD

Physician
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona

This case-based session tackles high-stakes pain management from pediatrics to adulthood, equipping clinicians with smart, evidence-driven prescribing strategies across the lifespan. Participants will explore developmental, psychosocial, and polypharmacy complexities while learning to design sustainable, long-term pharmacologic plans that balance efficacy with safety. Emphasis is placed on individualized care, medication stewardship, and interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize outcomes in complex pain scenarios.

Learning Objectives:

Identify age-specific considerations in managing acute and chronic pain.
Apply evidence-based pharmacological strategies to optimize pain relief while minimizing adverse events and risks.
Address developmental, psychosocial, and polypharmacy considerations through a longitudinal case study, integrating principles of long-term pharmacotherapy, risk mitigation, and medication stewardship.
Develop tailored, patient-specific approaches that integrate non-pharmacological therapies and interdisciplinary collaboration.