[Communication with children: practical hints and tools for the anesthesiology routine]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatric Communication Strategies

Context:

• Pediatric patients present unique challenges in anesthesia management and communication due to developmental variations in cognition, comprehension, and fear responses.
• Parental influence significantly shapes a child's behavior and anxiety levels in the perioperative setting, necessitating their inclusion in care strategies.

Purpose:

• To outline the specific characteristics of pediatric patients relevant to anesthesia and communication.
• To present practical strategies and aids for effectively managing children in perioperative environments.

Summary:

• Children exhibit heightened suggestibility and susceptibility to placebo/nocebo effects, which can be leveraged for positive outcomes.
• Techniques such as indirect suggestion, storytelling, attention redirection, and creating a sense of safety are effective.
• Utilizing imaginative elements like puppets, magic tricks, and visual aids, alongside clear, age-appropriate explanations, is crucial.

Impact:

• Implementing child-centered communication, including meeting children at eye level and providing comprehensible information, can improve the anesthesiologist's confidence and patient experience.
• These strategies empower pediatric patients by restoring a sense of control and care, moving beyond pure technical distance.