Overview
In this episode of asPERusual, host Anna Chudyk speaks with Dr. Sharon Hou (psychologist and assistant professor at Simon Fraser University) and Laesa Kim (parent partner, and family liaison at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute) about their work on the Pain Pathway Project, a CHILD-BRIGHT–funded initiative supporting community pediatricians in managing pain and irritability among children with severe neurological impairments. Together, they explore how embedding family voices from the start transforms research design and implementation, and how trust, co-creation, and reflective collaboration make both research and care more compassionate, accessible, and effective.
Key Topics & Takeaways
Pain Pathway Project — The Pain Pathway is a clinical tool designed to support pediatricians in managing pain and irritability among children with severe neurological impairments.
Family Voices at the Core — Families of children with medical complexity were engaged from the outset of the Pain Pathway Project to co-design research and ensure the work reflected real lived experiences.
Parent Monitoring Board — A Parent Monitoring Board guided Phase Two of the Pain Pathway Project, helping design the study, review materials, and identify communication and accessibility needs.
Co-created Foundations for Partnership — Families and researchers jointly developed clear terms of reference outlining roles, communication, and compensation—building trust, equity, and authentic collaboration.
Meaningful Impact on Research and Practice — Family partners influenced tangible outcomes, including a glossary to clarify research language, visual tools to explain processes. They will be involved in teaching pediatricians to use the Pain Pathway tool.
Relational and Reflective Approach:
The team emphasized “slow science”—prioritizing relationship building, open dialogue, and humility—to make both research and care more compassionate and inclusive.
Meet our guests
Sharon Hou is a registered psychologist and assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, and an investigator at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. She studies how cultural context shapes care and outcomes, focusing on historically underserved or equity-denied groups. By partnering with people with lived expertise, Sharon’s work centres the voices of youth and families to ensure that research translates into meaningful change.
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Laesa Kim has been engaged as a parent partner in research projects across Canada, and most specifically with work at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and Canuck Place Research Initiative, for the last five years. She is most proud of leading her own qualitative study on what motivates parents to participate in research for their children. Beyond research, Laesa engages as a vocal advocate for the medically complex community in online spaces, as a board member with BC Complex Kids Society, and in sharing the realities of this complex life in her memoir, Can’t Breathe.
Contact the host: Anna M. Chudyk - anna.asperusual@gmail.com
