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Paediatric day surgery: impact on Hong Kong Chinese children and their parents
Ho Cheung William Li1, Ho Yan Angie Lam
1The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. williamli@cuhk.edu.hk
Insights
Pediatric day surgery causes high anxiety in children and parents. High preoperative anxiety in children correlates with lower cooperation during and after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Anxiety Research
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Pediatric day surgery presents significant stress for children and their families.
- Managing anxiety is crucial for a positive surgical experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess anxiety levels in Hong Kong Chinese children and parents undergoing day surgery.
- To explore the link between children's preoperative anxiety and their cooperation during and after surgery.
Main Methods:
- 112 children undergoing circumcision for day surgery were enrolled.
- State anxiety levels were measured in children and parents at admission and post-operation.
- Children's cooperation during induction and recovery was assessed.
Main Results:
- High preoperative anxiety was observed in both children and parents.
- Children with greater preoperative anxiety showed reduced cooperation.
- Parental anxiety was positively correlated with their child's anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative interventions are essential to reduce anxiety in pediatric surgical patients and their parents.
- There is a need for improved strategies to manage anxiety in pediatric day surgery settings.
Abstract:
Paediatric day surgery is a potentially stressful and threatening experience for children and parents. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of paediatric day surgery on anxiety level of Hong Kong Chinese children and their parents, and to examine the relationship between children's preoperative anxiety and their level of cooperation during induction and postoperative periods. A total of 112 children admitted for circumcision with their parents in a day surgery unit were recruited. The state anxiety level for both children and parents was assessed at the time of admission and again at 4 hours after operation. Children's level of cooperation during the induction and the postoperative periods were also assessed. The results showed that the preoperative anxiety level for both children and their parents was relatively high. Children with high preoperative anxiety levels were associated with lower levels of cooperation during induction and postoperative periods. The results also indicated that parents' high state anxiety was associated with their children's high state anxiety. This study designated that preoperative intervention to minimize children and parents' anxiety is crucial and that there is still room for improvement.