Developing a medical picture book for reducing venipuncture distress in preschool-aged children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Child Psychology
• Medical Interventions

Background:

• Needle-related procedures, such as venipuncture, frequently cause significant distress in preschool-aged children.
• Managing procedural distress is crucial for positive healthcare experiences and adherence in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a medical picture book intervention aimed at reducing behavioral distress in preschool-aged children during venipuncture.
• To assess the effectiveness of the 'Sick Rui-Rui Bear' picture book in mitigating anxiety and distress associated with medical procedures.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess the picture book's efficacy.
• The picture book, 'Sick Rui-Rui Bear,' was developed through a three-stage process: story development, text writing, and book design.
• Behavioral distress was measured using the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R) in both the intervention and control groups.

Main Results:

• A 12-page picture book, 'Sick Rui-Rui Bear,' was created, featuring cartoon characters undergoing venipuncture.
• Children who received the picture book intervention exhibited significantly lower Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R) scores compared to the control group (P < .001).

Conclusions:

• The 'Sick Rui-Rui Bear' picture book is an effective intervention for decreasing procedural distress in preschool-aged children.
• Routine use of this picture book during venipuncture procedures is recommended to support young patients and improve outcomes.