The "fear factor" for surgical masks and face shields, as perceived by children and their parents

The goal was to determine whether young children and their parents prefer physicians wearing clear face shields or surgical masks.

Eighty children (4-10 years of age) and their guardians were recruited from a pediatric emergency department. A survey and color photographs of the same male and female physicians wearing face shields and surgical masks were distributed. The parents were asked to decide which set of physicians they would prefer to care for their children and with which set of physicians they thought their children would be most comfortable. The children then were asked to decide which set of physicians they would prefer to take care of them and why. The children also were asked whether they found any of the physicians frightening and, if so, why.

Fifty-one percent of parents preferred the pictures of physicians wearing face shields, and 62% thought that their children would choose the physicians in the face shields because their faces were visible and therefore less frightening. However, 59% of children stated that either set of physicians would be fine and neither was frightening; if given a choice, 49% would choose physicians in face shields.

Physicians and parents have a perception that surgical masks are frightening to all children. Our study has shown that this perception is not completely true. Face shields may be a better choice, however, because both parents and children would prefer this option.