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Pediatric Preanesthesia Anxiety and Factors of Family Satisfaction
Ann Hammack Johnson1, Bonita Conley2, Sharon Koruthu2
1Department of Nursing, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX; Anesthesia for Childrens, Children's Health, Children's Medical Center Dallas, Dallas, TX.
Insights
Pediatric patients aged 7-17 report significant preanesthesia anxiety, which is not linked to family factors. Addressing family concerns and improving psychosocial assessments are crucial for better pediatric anesthesia care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Psychosocial Health
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia often experience anxiety.
- Opportunities to report these feelings are frequently missed.
- Anxiety can stem from internal patient factors or external family/demographic influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore preanesthesia anxiety levels in pediatric patients (school-age to adolescent).
- To identify factors related to family satisfaction before anesthesia procedures.
- To understand patient-reported anxiety and its potential correlations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study design was employed.
- Voluntary surveys were administered to families at preanesthesia clinic appointments.
- Surveys included patient age, anesthesia history, procedure type, family satisfaction, and patient anxiety via visual analog scale.
Main Results:
- Eighty surveys were completed (patient age mean 12 years, range 7-17).
- Legally authorized guardians reported understanding anesthesia information but expressed concerns about complications and pain.
- Patient anxiety scores (0-10) averaged 3.3, with slightly higher scores in younger children (≤11 years), and were not correlated with other measured factors.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients (ages 7-17) report varying levels of preanesthesia anxiety.
- Anxiety levels were not significantly correlated with demographic or family satisfaction factors.
- There is a need for improved psychosocial assessments and interdisciplinary collaboration within family-centered preanesthesia care models.
Purpose:
Pediatric patients scheduled for procedures with anesthesia experience stress and feelings of anxiety, but frequently lack the opportunity to report their feelings. Pediatric patient anxiety may be related to internal (patient perceptions/emotions) or external (demographic/family knowledge/satisfaction) factors. The purpose of the study was to explore patient reports of anxiety in young school-age through adolescent ages, and factors of family satisfaction before a scheduled procedure with anesthesia.
Design:
Cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational.
Methods:
A voluntary survey including family-report of patient age and past anesthesia, type of procedure, family satisfaction factors (knowledge of anesthesia; perioperative concerns), and patient-report of anxiety with a visual analog scale (0-10) was offered to eligible families at their preanesthesia clinic appointment.
Findings:
Completed surveys from 80 families (mean age of patient = 12 years; range 7-17 years) showed legally authorized guardians (LAGs) felt the preanesthesia visit helped them understand anesthesia information, but they also had concerns, such as complications and pain. Patient anxiety ratings ranged from 0 to 10 (M = 3.3, SD = 3.1), and were slightly higher for patients 11 years and younger (M = 3.8; SD = 3.4). Anxiety ratings were not significantly correlated with other factors measured.
Conclusions:
Pediatric patients, ages 7-17, report preanesthesia anxiety levels ranging from "not at all" to "worst imaginable," unrelated to demographic or family factors. Family members have perioperative concerns that need to be addressed before scheduled procedures. There is an impetus for improvement in psychosocial assessment and health care team collaboration to meet needs in a family-centered preanesthesia care model.
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