Related Experiment Videos
[Techniques to inform and prepare children to various medical and surgical procedures by using play]
1EACH, European Association for Children in Hospital, Via F. Tesio 7, 20151 Milano. g.filippazzi@libero.it
Insights
Play-based preparation effectively reduces fear and distress in children facing hospital admission or surgery. Specialists tailor these activities, ensuring children understand medical procedures, thereby preventing trauma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Development
- Medical Education
Context:
- Hospitalization and surgery can induce significant fear and anxiety in children due to the unknown.
- Effective preparation is crucial for mitigating this distress.
- Children's understanding of medical procedures impacts their emotional well-being.
Purpose:
- To highlight the importance of age-appropriate information and preparation for children undergoing medical procedures.
- To advocate for play-based interventions as a primary method for preparing children for healthcare experiences.
- To emphasize the need for verifying children's comprehension of medical information.
Summary:
- Play, facilitated by specialists like child life or play specialists, is the optimal method for informing and preparing children for hospital admission and surgery.
- Preparation strategies must be tailored to individual children's needs and understanding.
- Ensuring children correctly comprehend the information provided is as vital as the information itself.
Impact:
- Proactive, play-based preparation can prevent psychological trauma associated with pediatric healthcare encounters.
- Integrating hospital information into early education settings (kindergarten, primary school) can normalize healthcare experiences.
- Collaboration between educators, healthcare professionals, and parents is essential for successful pediatric preparation.
Abstract:
To everybody, adult or child, admission to hospital and/or surgery may cause concern and fear, because we are afraid of what we do not know. Being informed and prepared in a manner appropriate to age and understanding reduces fear and distress. Since from their earliest childhood, children learn by play, play in its various forms is the best way to inform and prepare them for medical and/or surgical procedures. This activity must be carried out by specialists (child life specialist, play specialist) who know how to tailor it to the individual needs of each patient. Information and preparation are not enough, it is necessary to make sure that the message was understood correctly. Since 50% of children go to hospital at least once before they are 14, and 2/3 of these cases are taken to the Emergency service, a very useful and pleasant form of preventing the trauma of hospitalisation is to provide the necessary information about hospital in kindergarten and primary school, in a fruitful co-operation among teachers, health care professionals and parents.