From distress to resilience: A school-based "patient toolbox" for emotional regulation in pediatric visits

Pediatric medical visits often provoke anxiety and vulnerability, yet children's perspectives are rarely integrated into care design. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for a school-based emotional education intervention to enhance emotional safety for children aged 6-7 during routine clinical encounters.

To describe a comprehensive conceptual model linking educational and clinical settings to foster child resilience.

A two-phase, three-session intervention is outlined. Phase 1 focuses on emotional awareness using multimodal tools (drawings, bodily metaphors). Phase 2 introduces a "patient toolbox" including five regulation strategies (distraction, breathing, vocal empowerment, physical support and planning).

The framework is designed to potentially reduce procedural anxiety and empower children as active participants in their care. It provides a scalable model for pediatric nurses and healthcare professionals to bridge the gap between education and healthcare.

Integrating emotional education into the school settings prior to medical exposure has the potential to reduce distress and foster resilience. This interprofessional model provides healthcare professionals with a humanized, child-centered approach to routine practice.