Effectiveness and appropriateness of therapeutic play intervention in preparing children for surgery: a randomized controlled trial study

The art of a pediatric exam

This article discusses incorporating "artistry" into a primary care pediatric exam, a technique that considers a child's cognitive developmental stage, previous medical experiences, and the family's general stressors and fears. Benefits of using the artistic exam technique include decreased fear and anxiety for both the child and parent and fewer unnecessary diagnostic tests. The artistic exam has also been shown to improve adherence to pre- and postcare instructions and improved quality outcomes.

Psychosocial implications of pediatric surgical hospitalization

The prevalence of childhood surgical illness and injury requiring hospitalization suggests the need for implementation of an applied intervention to decrease levels of anxiety in these patients. When psychological concerns are not addressed in the present moment, potential for long-term negative psychological effects occur. To respond to the psychosocial needs of pediatric surgical patients it is important to understand foundational stages of development. Age is not always directly correlated with developmental stage and attunement to this subtle differentiation is essential. Some medical facilities offer services to pediatric surgical patients that include education about upcoming procedures as well as medical play which offers the opportunity to express emotions correlated with the hospitalization experience. This approach is directive in nature and controls the process of making sense of the medical environment. An alternative is Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) which creates an outlet for any emotions the children choose to express. CCPT offers comprehensive mental health care through a developmentally-appropriate, undirected intervention carried out by a mental health therapist and has been shown to reduce perceived and actual psychological trauma, anxiety, and behavioral issues in children preparing for surgery.

Does the 'Teddy Bear Hospital' enhance preschool children's knowledge? A pilot study with a pre/post-case control design in Germany

The 'Teddy Bear Hospital' is a medical students' project, which has been increasingly established in many countries. To evaluate this concept, we examined the effects of a German Teddy Bear Hospital on children's knowledge relating to their body, health and disease. Using a quasi-experimental pre/post design, we examined 131 preschool children from 14 German kindergartens with pictorial interview-based scales. The analysis of covariance revealed that the children who visited the Teddy Bear Hospital had a significantly better knowledge concerning their body, health and disease than the children from the control group. This German Teddy Bear Hospital is a good health education vehicle for preschool children.

Efficacy of therapeutic play for pediatric brain tumor patients during external beam radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is frequently used to improve disease control for pediatric brain tumor patients. However, to facilitate the radiotherapy (RT) procedure, "forced" type interventions including conscious sedation or general anesthesia are frequently used to manage patients' fear and anxiety. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of therapeutic play (TP) in reducing anxiety for pediatric brain tumor patients treated by EBRT.

METHODS

Between April 1st and September 30th, 2009, 19 young brain tumor patients, aged 3-15 years and recommended for RT, were recruited: ten to a control group and nine to the study intervention group. The study group was introduced with TP during EBRT. The Beck Youth Anxiety Inventory and the Faces Anxiety Scale were used to evaluate patients' psychological levels of anxiety. The heart rate variability and salivary cortisol concentrations were used to indicate the patients' physical levels of anxiety. Both the psychological and physiological tests were administered to all subjects before and after the RT procedure.

RESULTS

The study group had significantly lower anxiety scores and expressed fewer negative emotions than did the control group before EBRT.

CONCLUSIONS

TP can not only improve the quality of medical services but can also reduce costs and staffing demands. In addition, it can help lower young patients' anxiety and fear during medical procedures. As a result, it further decreases the potential negative impacts of hospitalization on these young patients.

Pediatric perioperative education current practices: a national survey of children's hospitals in the United States

Identifying existing practices is a first step in the creation of developmentally and culturally effective teaching materials for children and families. This national survey queried two groups to explore current pediatric perioperative education practices: 81 nurses from a perioperative pediatric specialty association and 30 administrators representing leading children's hospitals within the United States. The aim was to improve perioperative care through the design of educational materials from the child's perspective.

Parents' experiences of their child's first anaesthetic in day surgery

BACKGROUND

Parents play an important part in their child's anaesthesia. When a child has to receive anaesthesia, it is of great importance that parents are there by his/her side as children depend on them for support. Many parents worry and experience fear before their child's anaesthesia and studies show that there is a correlation between a worried parent and a worried child.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to illustrate the meaning of being a parent at one's child's first anaesthesia in day surgery.

METHOD

Six parents were interviewed and data were analysed using a descriptive qualitative approach inspired by phenomenology.

RESULT

The phenomenon, 'a child's first anaesthesia in day surgery as experienced by parents' is based on the following components: ambivalence between worry and relief, a feeling of losing control, needing to be prepared, being able to be present and a need of emotional support.

CONCLUSION

Specific individually-adapted information with a compulsory preoperative visit, presence and participation from, if possible, both parents at their child's anaesthesia but also designated staff from the anaesthetic team to focus solely on supporting the parents at their child's anaesthesia induction can improve the conditions for security.

Reduction of preoperative anxiety in pediatric surgery patients using age-appropriate teaching interventions

More than 5 million children in the United States undergo surgery annually. Of those 5 million children, 50% to 75% experience considerable fear and anxiety preoperatively. Preoperative anxiety in children is associated with a number of adverse postoperative outcomes, such as increased distress in the recovery phase, and postoperative regressive behavioral disturbances, such as nightmares, separation anxiety, eating disorders, and bedwetting. Preparing the pediatric patient adequately for surgery can prevent many behavioral and physiological manifestations of anxiety. Children are most susceptible to the stress of surgery owing to their limited cognitive capabilities, greater dependence on others, lack of self-control, limited life experience, and poor understanding of the health care system. This article will review the literature on preoperative interventional teaching strategies to reduce preoperative anxiety in children and discuss the methods available for evidence-based preparation of children undergoing surgery.

Compreendendo a sensibilização do enfermeiro para o uso do brinquedo terapêutico na prática assistencial à criança

Este estudo objetivou compreender como ocorre a sensibilização do enfermeiro para o uso do brinquedo terapêutico como instrumento de intervenção de enfermagem. O referencial teórico foi o Interacionismo Simbólico e o metodológico, além do Interacionismo Interpretativo. Participaram sete enfermeiras que atuavam em unidades pediátricas hospitalares e ambulatoriais, incluindo o brinquedo terapêutico em sua prática. Emergiram quatro temas representativos: ampliando seu olhar para a pessoa da criança, encantando-se com uma nova possibilidade de cuidar, percebendo sua ação revalidada e comprometendo-se com o desenvolvimento da temática. Estes revelaram que, ao conhecer o brinquedo terapêutico e utilizá-lo na assistência, a enfermeira inicia um caminhar no qual constata os benefícios dessa intervenção, o que revalida cada vez mais sua ação, passando a valorizá-lo como instrumento de intervenção de enfermagem. Os autores consideram que ensinar sobre o brinquedo e integrá-lo à assistência são desafios que ainda necessitam ser superados.

The perceived effectiveness of a pre-admission visit for children (and their parents) undergoing day surgery procedures

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an evaluation study which examines the perceived effectiveness of a pre-admission visit for children (and their parents) undergoing day surgery procedures in the Republic of Ireland. This follow on paper provides the findings of an evaluation study subsequent to the pre-admission, practice development initiative published in the Journal of Perioperative Practice, June 2010, 20 (6) 203-206.

Effectiveness and feasibility of using the computerized interactive virtual space in reducing depressive symptoms of Hong Kong Chinese children hospitalized with cancer

PURPOSE. To examine the effectiveness and feasibility of using the computerized interactive virtual space in reducing depressive symptoms of children hospitalized with cancer. DESIGN AND METHODS. A nonequivalent control group design was employed. Children (8-16 years of age; n= 122) admitted to a pediatric oncology ward during a 14-month period were recruited. RESULTS. The results support the effectiveness and feasibility of using the computerized interactive virtual space in reducing depressive symptoms of children hospitalized with cancer. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. The results heighten the awareness in nurses of the importance of integrating play activities as an essential component of holistic and quality nursing care.

Evaluations of psychological preparation for children undergoing endoscopy

We provided psychological preparation to children who were hospitalized for endoscopy. We performed a multifaceted evaluation of the effects of the preparation to identify appropriate methods for individual children. The subjects were 20 children, ages 4 to 15 years (average 9.9 years), who were divided into 3 groups according to the preparation methods. From our study, we suggest that it is important to discuss the preparation methods for medical procedures using methods appropriate to the level of cognitive development of each individual child.

The use of nonpharmacological methods for children's postoperative pain relief: Singapore nurses' perspectives

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine nurses' use of nonpharmacological methods for school-age children's postoperative pain relief.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A survey was conducted in 2008 with a convenience sample of 134 registered nurses from 7 pediatric wards in Singapore.

RESULTS

Nurses who were younger, had less education, lower designation, less working experience, and no children of their own used nonpharmacological methods less frequently.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses need training and education on nonpharmacological pain relief methods, particularly on methods that have been shown to be effective in prior research but that were less often used by nurses in this study: massage, thermal regulation, imagery, and positive reinforcement.

Setting up pre-admission visits for children undergoing day surgery: a practice development initiative

The hospital experience can bring about a range of negative emotions for children. The literature clearly states that children who are prepared for surgery recover faster and have fewer negative effects. Pre-admission programmes seek to prepare children (and their parents) for surgery. This paper describes in detail how a pre-admission programme was established for children and their families who were scheduled for day case surgery.

Vivenciando um mundo de procedimentos e preocupações: experiência da criança com Port-a-Cath

OBJETIVOS: Compreender como é para a criança com câncer a vivência de ser portadora de Port-a-Cath a partir de suas manifestações numa sessão de Brinquedo Terapêutico Dramático e propiciar a ela um meio de alívio. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo qualitativo realizado com seis crianças escolares e uma adolescente, cujos dados foram coletados numa sessão de Brinquedo Terapêutico Dramático e submetidos à análise qualitativa de conteúdo. RESULTADOS: Permitiram compreender que os procedimentos intrusivos geram ansiedade, preocupação, medo e dor às crianças, assim como que elas reconhecem a importância dos procedimentos, dos medicamentos, da realização dos exames físico e laboratoriais para o tratamento; reconhecem as vantagens da utilização do Port-a-Cath, mas que sua utilização é fonte de ansiedade, limitações e preocupações, especialmente as relacionadas ao risco de infecção, e que se sentiram felizes, confortadas e fortalecidas com o brincar. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Os enfermeiros precisam estar preparados para assistirem a essas crianças integralmente e para utilizarem sistematicamente o Brinquedo Terapêutico como instrumento de comunicação e intervenção de enfermagem.