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Definition

Preparing properly for a test or procedure may reduce your child's anxiety, encourage cooperation, and help your child develop coping skills.

Information

Know that your child will probably cry. Even if you prepare, your child may feel some discomfort or pain. Try using play to demonstrate what will happen during the test. Doing so may help reveal your child's concerns about the test.

The most important way you can help is by preparing your child ahead of time, and providing support for your child during the procedure. Explaining the procedure may help reduce your child's anxiety. Let your child participate and make as many decisions as possible.

PREPARING FOR THE PROCEDURE

Limit explanations about the procedure to 20 minutes. Use several sessions, if needed. Since school-age children have a good concept of time, it is OK to prepare your child before the procedure. The older your child, the earlier you can begin to prepare.

Here are some general guidelines for preparing your child for a test or procedure:

• Explain the procedure in language your child understands, and use real terms.
• Make sure your child understands the exact body part involved, and that the procedure will be done only on that area.
• Describe as best as you can how the test will feel.
• If the procedure affects a part of the body your child needs for a certain function (such as speaking, hearing, or urinating), explain what changes will occur afterward. Discuss how long these effects will last.
• Let your child know it's OK to yell, cry, or express pain in another way using sounds or words.
• Allow your child to practice the positions or movements that will be needed for the procedure, such as the fetal position for a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
• Stress the benefits of the procedure and talk about things your child may like afterwards, such as feeling better or going home. After the test, you may want to take your child for ice cream or some other treat, but do not make the treat a condition of being good for the test.
• Suggest ways to stay calm, such as counting, deep breathing, singing, blowing bubbles, and relaxing by thinking pleasant thoughts.
• Allow your child to participate in simple tasks during the procedure, if appropriate.
• Include your child in the decision-making process, such as the time of day or the site on the body where the procedure is performed (this depends on the type of procedure being performed).
• Encourage your child's participation during the procedure, such as holding an instrument, if allowed.
• Let your child hold your hand or the hand of someone else who is helping with the procedure. Physical contact can help reduce pain and anxiety.
• Distract your child with books, bubbles, games, hand-held video games, or other activities.

PLAY PREPARATION

Children often avoid responding when asked direct questions about their feelings. Some children who are happy to share their feelings withdraw as their anxiety and fear increase.

Play can be a good way to demonstrate the procedure for your child. They can also help reveal your child's concerns.

The play technique should be tailored to your child. Most health care facilities that treat children (such as a children's hospital) will use a play technique to prepare your child. This involves using an object or toy that is important to your child. It may be less threatening for your child to communicate concerns through the toy or object than to express them directly. For example, a child may be better able to understand a blood test if you discuss how the doll might feel during the test.

Once you are familiar with the procedure, demonstrate on the object or toy what your child will experience. For example, show positions, bandages, stethoscopes, and how the skin is cleaned.

Medical toys are available, or you can ask your child's health care provider to share some of the items used in the test for your demonstration (except for needles and other sharp items). Afterward, allow your child to play with some of the safe items. Watch your child for clues to concerns and fears.

For younger school-age children, the play technique is appropriate. Older school-age children might view this approach as childish. Consider your child's intellectual needs before using this type of communication.

Older children may benefit from videos that show children of the same age explaining, demonstrating, and going through the same procedure. Ask your provider if such videos are available for your child to watch.

Drawing is another way for children to express themselves. Ask your child to draw the procedure after you have explained and demonstrated it. You may be able to identify concerns through your child's art.

DURING THE PROCEDURE

If the procedure is performed at the hospital or at the provider's office, you will most likely be able to be there. Ask your child's provider if you are not sure. If your child does not want you to be there, it is best to honor this wish.

Out of respect for your child's growing need for privacy, do not allow peers or siblings to view the procedure unless your child allows them or asks for them to be there.

Avoid showing your anxiety. This will only make your child feel more upset. Research suggests that children are more cooperative if their parents take measures (such as acupuncture) to reduce their own anxiety. If you're feeling stressed or anxious, consider asking friends and family members for help. They can provide child care for other siblings or meals for the family so you can focus on supporting your child.

Other considerations:

• Ask your child's provider to limit the number of strangers who enter and leave the room during the procedure, because this can raise anxiety.
• Ask if the provider who has spent the most time with your child can be present during the procedure.
• Ask if anesthesia can be used, if appropriate, to reduce your child's discomfort.
• Ask that painful procedures not be performed in the hospital bed or room, so the child does not link pain with these areas.
• Ask if extra sounds, lights, and people can be limited.

References

American Cancer Society website. When your child has cancer. www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/children-with-cancer.html. Accessed June 14, 2024.

Chow CH, Van Lieshout RJ, Schmidt LA, Dobson KG, Buckley N. Systematic review: audiovisual interventions for reducing preoperative anxiety in children undergoing elective surgery. J Pediatr Psychol. 2016;41(2):182-203. PMID: 26476281 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26476281/.

Kain ZN, Fortier MA, Chorney JM, Mayes L. Web-based tailored intervention for preparation of parents and children for outpatient surgery (WebTIPS): development. Anesth Analg. 2015;120(4):905-914. PMID: 25790212 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25790212/.

Lerwick JL. Minimizing pediatric healthcare-induced anxiety and trauma. World J Clin Pediatr. 2016;5(2):143-150. PMID: 27170924 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27170924/.

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