Children scheduled for day surgery need psychological preparation to reduce anxiety about hospital visits and surgery, according to a recent study performed by health care professionals at Texas Children’s Hospital.
“The literature clearly supports preparing children for hospitalization and surgery, however, little is known about the anxiety responses of children undergoing day surgery” said Heidi Vacik, child life specialist and coauthor of this study.
The study used children’s art to measure same-day surgery patients’ anxiety before and after surgery, comparing those children who were prepared for surgery by a child life specialist versus those children who were not. One hundred and fifty children between ages 5 and 11 were studied.
Approximately 80 percent of major children’s hospitals offer some form of psychological preparation program. Such preparation provides a chance for children to learn what types of medical procedures and equipment they will encounter while at the hospital. When given the opportunity to explore equipment, such as the induction mask or EKG leads, the child gains mastery and is given a sense of control.
The Texas Children’s research showed a significant difference in post-surgery anxiety between those children prepared for surgery and those who were not. This proved consistent across age groups, gender and pain level of the surgery.
“Our findings imply that all children, not just those with a perceived need, should be psychologically prepared prior to undergoing day surgery,” said Mary E. Tietjens, child life specialist and coauthor of the study. “The findings may also imply that psychological preparation may affect parent satisfaction.”
Texas Children’s child life study won the national 2003 Child Life Research award last May.
