The Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV) won second place in its category at the 1st International Congress on the Humanization of Pediatric Pain Care, held in São Carlos, Brazil, for a research project on pediatric pain presented by faculty members fromBachelor's Degree Nursing.
This recognition comes at a time when the issue is gaining increasing importance in both healthcare and academic circles. Pain in children and adolescents continues to pose a challenge for healthcare systems, both because of the difficulty in assessing it and because of the need to address it from a holistic perspective that takes into account scientific evidence, the patient’s age, their family context, and the emotional impact of the painful experience.
The UFV’s participation took place within the framework of two international events focused on nursing research, the humanization of care, and pediatric pain management: an international training session held at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Ribeirão Preto, and the international conference organized at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar).
Sara Solana Blanco, a professor in Bachelor's Degree Nursing program at UFV, and Sonsoles Hernández, associate dean of Institutional Relations and Clinical Placements and a professor in Bachelor's Degree Nursing program, participated in both international events, held May 18–23 in Brazil.
During the conference, representatives from the UFV presented two research projects related to pediatric pain. One of them examined the correlation between cortisol levels and prematurity using a cold pain test, known as the CPT. The presentation on this study, given by Sonsoles Hernández, was awarded second prize in its category. In addition, UFV shared another project on non-pharmacological approaches to pain management in pediatrics. 
“This recognition in Brazil reinforces the value of research aimed at improving the lives of pediatric patients and their families. At UFV, we work to train nursing professionals capable of combining rigour , technical competence, and a deeply human approach to care, especially in contexts as sensitive as pediatric pain,” says Sara Solana Blanco, professor in the Bachelor's Degree Nursing program at UFV.
Nursing Research and the Humanization of Pediatric Care
The First International Congress on the Humanization of Pediatric Pain Care brought together educators, researchers, students, and healthcare professionals to address the current challenges of childhood pain, pediatric palliative care, and technological innovation in healthcare.
The meeting was part of the international project HUPEDCARE —Higher Education as a Driver in the Humanization of Pediatric Pain Care—, an initiative funded by the European Union aimed at transforming academic and professional training in the field of pediatric pain through humanization, university cooperation, and the use of educational technologies.
The conference also included the 2nd Brazilian Congress on Pediatric Pain and Palliative Care and the 2nd Symposium on Technologies in Child Health, which reinforced its interdisciplinary nature and its connection to key areas of contemporary nursing.
UFV: Part of an International Network of Universities
Francisco de Vitoria University’s participation is part of its membership in HUPEDCARE, a transnational network comprising 15 universities in Europe, the Americas, and Africa, from eight countries: Spain, Portugal, Poland, Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
The project aims to generate applied knowledge on the humanization of care in pediatric pain management, develop technological solutions that foster collaborative learning, and promote academic and professional content that contributes to improving pediatric healthcare.
Prior to the conference, UFV faculty members participated in the international training session “Implementation of Scientific Evidence for the Management of Neonatal and Pediatric Pain in Clinical Practice (Implementación de evidencias científicas para el manejo del dolor neonatal y pediátrico en la práctica clínica),” held at the University of São Paulo. The training focused on the implementation of scientific evidence for the management of neonatal and pediatric pain in clinical practice, with special attention to the transfer of scientific knowledge to the healthcare setting.
Nursing Focused on Comprehensive Care
The UFV's participation in these international conferences reinforces the commitment ofBachelor's Degree Nursing** to an education that integrates research, clinical practice, and person-centered care.
In the field of pediatric pain, this perspective is particularly relevant, as the care of children and adolescents requires professionals capable of integrating scientific knowledge, clinical competence, communication with families, and sensitivity to the patient’s vulnerability.
With this recognition in Brazil, Francisco de Vitoria University is consolidating its presence in international forums dedicated to nursing research and the humanization of care, and reinforcing its commitment to training professionals who are prepared to address the current challenges of health care through science, clinical practice, and a commitment to the individual.
