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Preparing children for a surgical experience
Insights
Research on children's surgical fears is limited. Key fears include injections and anesthesia masks, while remembered events involve the operating room and post-operative pain. Preparation programs are common.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Child psychology
Background:
- Limited research exists on children's specific fears related to surgery.
- Commonly remembered surgical events include transport to the operating room, injections, pain upon waking, and NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
- Injections and the anesthesia mask are identified as the most feared aspects of surgery for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on children's fears associated with surgical procedures.
- To highlight common fears and remembered events during the perioperative period for pediatric patients.
- To emphasize the importance of preparation and open communication in mitigating children's surgical anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pediatric surgical fears.
- Analysis of reported memorable and feared events in children undergoing surgery.
- Examination of current hospital practices for preparing children for surgery.
Main Results:
- Children's most remembered surgical experiences include the journey to the operating room, injections, waking up in pain, and pre-operative fasting.
- The most significant fears identified were related to injections and the anesthesia mask.
- Hospitals utilize various orientation programs, including tours, videos, and play therapy, to prepare children.
Conclusions:
- Creating a supportive and honest environment is vital for addressing children's perioperative fears and misconceptions.
- Educational opportunities about their bodies and the healthcare setting empower children.
- Effective preparation strategies can significantly reduce anxiety for children facing surgery.
Abstract:
1. Little research has been conducted on the specific fears of children undergoing surgery. One study reported that the events most remembered about the surgical experience were riding to the operating room, receiving injections, waking up in pain, and not being allowed to eat or drink. The most feared events were injections and the anesthesia mask. 2. Many hospitals have developed formal and informal orientation programs for preparing children for surgery. Special orientation days with themes may be offered. Films/videos, slide presentations, coloring books, photograph albums, puppet shows, and tours often are used to introduce the child to the surgical environment. A visit to the operating room may be a part of the program. In some cases, play therapy in a mock operating room is used. 3. A warm, open, honest environment is crucially important. There should be a willingness to discuss the child's ideas, fears, and misconceptions concerning their perioperative experience. In addition, children should be given the opportunity to learn about their body, the health care profession, and the surgical setting.