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Parental upset associated with participation in induction of anaesthesia in children
J A Vessey1, M S Bogetz, C L Caserza
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Insights
Parental upset during pediatric anesthesia induction is linked to separation, watching the child become limp, and seeing the child distressed. Healthcare worker parents and mothers of only children reported higher upset levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Parental Psychology
- Surgical Patient Experience
Background:
- Parental presence and anxiety are significant factors in pediatric surgery.
- Understanding parental reactions to anesthesia induction is crucial for improving patient and family care.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the specific triggers of parental distress during anesthesia induction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify parental upset during anesthesia induction.
- To identify specific upsetting features of anesthesia induction.
- To determine characteristics of parents prone to distress and assess anesthesiologists' perception of parental upset.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 101 mothers and 43 fathers of 103 children undergoing elective surgery.
- Parents completed the Parental Reactions to Anesthesia Induction Questionnaire post-induction.
- Data analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.
Main Results:
- The most distressing factors were separation from the child, observing the child become limp, and seeing the child upset pre-induction.
- Higher parental upset correlated between mothers and fathers, mothers of only children, and parents who were healthcare workers.
- Anesthesiologists' perception of upset correlated with maternal self-assessment but not overall parental assessment.
Conclusions:
- Specific aspects of anesthesia induction significantly upset parents.
- Identifying parents at higher risk for distress can help mitigate negative experiences.
- Improving anesthesiologists' awareness of parental reactions can enhance family-centered care during pediatric surgery.
Abstract:
To evaluate the magnitude of parental upset associated with (1) the features of induction most upsetting to parents; (2) the characteristics of parents most likely to become upset; and (3) the accuracy of the anaesthetist's perception of the magnitude of parental upset. The parents (101 mothers and 43 fathers) of 103 children scheduled for elective outpatient surgery requiring general anaesthesia with induction by mask were asked on admission to participate in this study. Parents and children were educated about anaesthesia and surgery according to unit protocols. Immediately after induction of anaesthesia, the parents were asked to complete a demographic information sheet and the Parental Reactions to Anesthesia Induction Questionnaire. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The most upsetting factors for both mothers and fathers in order of significance were: (1) separation from the child after induction of anaesthesia; (2) watching/feeling the child go limp during induction; and (3) seeing the child upset before induction. Characteristics of parents most likely to become upset revealed positive correlations between the amount of upset between mothers and fathers, mothers of an only child, and mothers or fathers who were health care workers (P < 0.05). The anaesthetist's perception of upset correlated with maternal (P < 0.05), but not parental, self-assessment of upset. We conclude that selected factors of parental participation are upsetting for the parents and that recognizing the factors associated with parental upset may enable operating room personnel to minimize these negative consequences.