Preoperative information needs of children undergoing tonsillectomy.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Child psychology
• Health communication

Background:

• Tonsillectomy can cause significant anxiety in children.
• Existing preoperative preparation programs often lack a child-centered perspective.
• Understanding children's specific information needs is crucial for effective anxiety reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the information needs of children undergoing tonsillectomy.
• To explore preferred content, delivery methods, providers, and timing of information.
• To inform the development of child-centered preoperative educational interventions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• Interviews with nine children (aged 6-9) using a write and draw technique.
• Thematic analysis of data focusing on information content, method, providers, and timing.

Main Results:

• Children expressed clear information needs regarding surgical procedures and postoperative pain.
• Concerns included the operation, postoperative soreness, and parental presence.
• Mothers were identified as the preferred source of information, though optimal delivery methods and timing remain unclear.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative educational interventions must align with children's identified needs for meaningful surgical preparation.
• Child-centered approaches, such as Q&A leaflets, can enhance understanding.
• Further research is necessary to optimize information delivery for pediatric tonsillectomy patients.