I'm afraid! Children's experiences of being anesthetized
Lisbet Andersson1, Katarina Karlsson2, Pauline Johansson1
1Faculty of Health and Caring Science, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.
Paediatric Anaesthesia
|May 29, 2020
Summary
Children feel powerless and anxious during anesthesia due to a lack of control. Providing a safe, supportive environment and tailored information is crucial for managing their stress during medical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Child Psychology
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Anesthetization is a stressful experience for children.
- Limited research exists on children's subjective experiences of anesthesia.
- Preoperative anxiety reduction measures are widely studied, but children's perspectives are often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and understand the meaning of being anesthetized from the child's perspective.
- To gain insight into children's lived experiences during anesthesia.
- To identify key themes in children's experiences of anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative lifeworld hermeneutic approach.
- Data collection via nonparticipant video observations, field notes, and interviews.
- Study involved 28 children aged 4-13 undergoing elective minor surgery.
Main Results:
- Identified four key themes: Being powerless, Striving for control, Experiencing ambiguous comprehensibility, and Seeking security.
- Children experienced anxiety due to perceived inability to protect themselves.
- Children's need for appropriate information in a calm, supportive, and protective environment was highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Children's anxiety during anesthesia is multifaceted.
- Emphasizes the importance of acknowledging each child's voice.
- Advocates for individually adapted, safe, and protective care environments.
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