Perioperative care of children in a transcultural context

As part of a large, comparative study of how children are cared for in developed and developing countries' hospitals, health care professionals and parents were asked questions relating to their beliefs about parental presence during anesthesia induction and in postanesthesia care units. Children were not questioned. The researcher compared parents' (n = 957) and staff members' (n = 780) responses between developed and developing countries. Results indicate that parents and staff members in developed and developing countries responded significantly differently (P < .000001) to whether they believe parents or relatives should stay with their children until anesthesia takes effect. More staff members in developing countries responded that parents should be present (P = .007). Cultural constructions (e.g., class) are believed to influence strongly how care is delivered in developing countries studied. Cultural constructions were not as important in the developed countries.