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Techniques to comfort children during stressful procedures
B K Stephens1, M E Barkey, H R Hall
1Health Hill Hospital for Children in Cleveland, OH, USA.
Insights
This study introduces a five-part model to improve comfort during medical procedures for children and their families. Implementing this model enhances the experience for patients, parents, and healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric healthcare
- Child psychology
- Medical procedure management
Background:
- Invasive medical procedures often cause distress for children, parents, and healthcare providers.
- There is a need for strategies to improve patient and family comfort during pediatric medical interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a model aimed at increasing the comfort of infants, children, parents, and medical staff during invasive procedures.
- To provide a structured approach for managing pediatric medical procedures.
Main Methods:
- The model comprises five key components:
- 1. Pre-procedure preparation for child and parent.
- 2. Encouraging parent/caregiver presence.
- 3. Using treatment rooms for stressful procedures.
- 4. Employing comforting child positioning.
- 5. Cultivating a calm, positive atmosphere.
Main Results:
- The described model offers a framework for enhancing the experience of pediatric medical procedures.
- Anticipated outcomes include reduced anxiety and improved cooperation from children and parents.
- Positive impact on the well-being of healthcare providers is also expected.
Conclusions:
- The five-part model provides a practical strategy for improving the experience of invasive medical procedures for pediatric patients and their families.
- Effective implementation can lead to a more supportive and less stressful healthcare environment for all involved.
Abstract:
Medical procedures can be unpleasant experiences for children, their parents, and health care providers. We present this model of working with children having invasive procedures with the aim of helping to increase the comfort of infants and children and also parents and medical staff. The model has five parts: (1) Preparing the child and parent for the procedure and for their role during the procedure; (2) inviting the parent/caregiver to be present; (3) utilizing the treatment room for stressful procedures; (4) positioning the child in a comforting manner; and (5) maintaining a calm, positive atmosphere.