[Tools to overcome anxiety in paediatric surgery]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric surgery
• Child psychology
• Healthcare innovation

Background:

• Children experience significant anxiety during surgical procedures.
• Parental separation is a major stressor for pediatric patients.
• Existing methods for managing pediatric anxiety may be enhanced.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of novel interventions in reducing children's anxiety in a pediatric surgical setting.
• To explore the impact of sensory and tactile tools on children's emotional well-being during surgery.
• To assess how these tools influence caregiver practices and family-centered care.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of child-centered tools: decorated anesthetic masks, tactile operating pathway, and comfort toys in the recovery room.
• Observation of children's anxiety levels during key points of the surgical pathway.
• Qualitative assessment of caregiver practices and family interactions.

Main Results:

• The implemented tools effectively mitigated children's anxiety during parental separation and throughout the surgical journey.
• These interventions facilitated a more positive experience for children and their families.
• Caregivers reported a shift towards more adaptive and family-supportive practices.

Conclusions:

• Creative, sensory-based interventions are valuable in managing pediatric surgical anxiety.
• These tools support children through the stress of surgery and parental separation.
• The use of such tools promotes enhanced, family-centered care in pediatric surgery.