Newsletters

Healthy Child Fall/Winter 1999

PREPARING CHILDREN FOR MEDICAL PROEDURES

Children are afraid of most medical procedures. This is because children, like most adults, have a strong fear of the unknown. Research shows that children who are well prepared for surgery and diagnostic procedures are less anxious, more cooperative and seem to have shorter recovery periods. Family preparation, including therapeutic medical play, encourages children to express their fears and misconceptions.

Here are some helpful tips to help prepare your child for a medical procedure:

·       Talk to your Child: Children should be aware of what will happen to them on the day of their procedure. Each child should be informed to various degrees, depending upon age and level of understanding. In general, avoid too much detail with preschoolers and be more specific with grade-school children.

·       Use Simple Language: Diagnostic and surgical procedures are very complex in nature. Simplifying terms will give them a truthful account of what will be happening. For example, explain an IV as a “tiny straw that gives your body a drink,” and anesthesia as “medicine that makes you very sleepy.”

·       Be Honest and Fair Tell your child what will happen and let him or her know that there is no room for negotiation. Let the child be a participant in the process by choosing a favorite pair of pajamas to wear, but with the understanding that he or she must have the procedure.

·       When to Tell Them: As a general rule of thumb, tell four-year-olds about four days prior, and tell two-year-olds about two days prior. Each child is different and so are their levels of sensitivity. You know your child better than anyone.

·       Seek A Pre-Surgery Orientation and Tour: Saint Barnabas Medical Center provides the “Teaching and Tour” Program, and tours can be arranged by calling (973) 322-8350. At the Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center, such a program is called, “Ready, Set, Go!” and includes a slide presentation and tour. For further information about the “Ready, Set, Go!” program, please call (973) 322-7326.

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