Related Experiment Videos
Test or trauma? The voiding cystourethrogram experience of young children
1Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. EES@welchlink.welch.JHU.edu
Insights
The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) can be more distressing for children than invasive procedures. Proper preparation and partnership are key to minimizing distress and supporting children's coping during medical tests.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric healthcare
- Child psychology
- Medical procedure impact
Background:
- Diagnostic procedures, though necessary, can be traumatic for children.
- Healthcare professionals often underestimate the distress caused by tests like the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG).
- Children's self-concept is shaped by mastering challenging experiences, including medical procedures.
Observation:
- Clinical experience suggests children find VCUGs highly distressing, contrary to professional perceptions.
- Vignettes illustrate the significant impact of VCUGs on children's coping and adjustment.
- Children's perception of distress differs from healthcare professionals' assessments.
Findings:
- The VCUG procedure is frequently perceived by children as more distressing than invasive procedures.
- Successful navigation of medical procedures positively influences a child's self-concept and future coping.
- Parent and child experiences highlight the psychological impact of the VCUG.
Implications:
- Healthcare professionals must recognize and address the distress associated with VCUGs.
- Developing developmentally appropriate standards of care for VCUGs is crucial.
- Preparation should be an ongoing partnership among children, parents, and healthcare providers to reduce anxiety.
Abstract:
Many diagnostic procedures, while necessary and appropriate, may be experienced by a child as a trauma. Health care professionals often perceive invasive procedures such as surgery and needle biopsies as more painful and threatening to the child than "test" such as voiding cystourethrograms (VCUGs). However, clinical experience indicates that the VCUG is often perceived by children as more highly distressing than other procedures. Success and a sense of competence (or shame and doubt) in mastering challenging life experiences, such as medical procedures, contribute to a child's evolving self-concept (Harter, 1983). These memories and successful behaviors can be applied to future similar situations. Health care professionals are challenged to help the child and the parents through the procedure with minimal distress in an effective and efficient manner. A series of vignettes illustrating parents' and children's experiences with a VCUG procedure highlight the impact of the VCUG on children's coping ability and adjustment. Recommendations for developmentally appropriate clinical practice standards of care related to the VCUG procedure in young children also are presented. Preparation as an ongoing partnership process among children, parents, and health care professionals.