O'Connor M, Halkett GKB. Supporting paediatric patients to receive radiation therapy without sedation or general anaesthetic.
J Med Radiat Sci 2023;
70:357-359. [PMID:
37880876 PMCID:
PMC10715346 DOI:
10.1002/jmrs.734]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Many paediatric patients experience anxiety and distress when undergoing radiation therapy and, as a result, are often anaesthetised or sedated (A/S) so that they remain still. The practice of using A/S has implications for the child, the family and the health system. Building on the article by McCoola et al. (DOI 10.1002/jmrs.705), this editorial discusses approaches to improving paediatric patients' and their families' experiences of radiation therapy by reducing the need for A/S. Interventions need to be underpinned by theory and adopt robust research methods.
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