How Do You Ease a Child's Anxiety Before a Surgical Procedure?
Pediatric professionals employ a variety of compassionate techniques to soothe the nerves of young patients facing surgery, with insights from a Child Life Specialist & Parent Coach on tailoring preparations to a child's age. Alongside expert strategies, we've gathered additional answers that provide a holistic view of the care given to alleviate a child's pre-surgical anxiety. From the calming influence of yoga and breathing exercises to the reassuring presence of a comfort item, discover the thoughtful approaches used to ease young minds.
- Prepare Children Based on Age
- Utilize Child-Life Specialists
- Employ Therapeutic Storytelling
- Teach Calming Yoga and Breathing
- Use Distraction Techniques
- Offer Medical Explanations and Visuals
- Introduce a Comfort Item
Prepare Children Based on Age
When children are about to undergo surgery, there are a number of reasons they can become anxious and overwhelmed. The main reason is due to a lack of understanding. As a Child Life Specialist, we prepare children for medical procedures and help them develop coping skills to reduce trauma during their hospital stay. The methods used to alleviate a child's anxiety vary according to their developmental level. Here are examples of how to prepare children of different age groups:
Infant/Toddler: Parental presence is the primary tool. Having parents present during induction, providing soothing touch, and singing their favorite song or talking to them can significantly decrease anxiety by nurturing their attachment response.
Preschool Age and Older: The primary technique we employ with our pediatric patients is to prepare them by describing their sensory experience. What will they see, hear, smell, feel? For this, we let them handle and explore medical equipment in the pre-op area to reduce fear and anxiety. We encourage the patient to choose a scent for their anesthesia mask to help normalize and desensitize the mask before induction. The scent also lessens the strong smell of the anesthesia. Then, we assist patients in personalizing their mask with stickers, showing us where the mask fits on a stuffed animal, on their parents, and then on themselves, all while providing verbal preparation. We explain that for their surgery, they will inhale a special medicine that helps their body fall asleep. When they see their mask, they can feel assured that they are safe and that this is the intended process for their body. They will fall asleep, and the doctor will ensure their safety until it's time to wake up and reunite with their parents.
For teenage patients, all of the same information is supportive in decreasing anxiety; however, this age group likes to be included in their care, so be sure to ask them ahead of time how much they want to know about the procedure.
Utilize Child-Life Specialists
I find working with a child-life specialist extremely helpful. They are wonderful at using play to help a child understand the procedure they will be undergoing. This allows them to better know what to expect—oftentimes, the fear of the unknown is the most overwhelming thing for a child. As a part of this, we often also provide the child with some relaxation tools, such as an imagery exercise (lock that fear into a box) and/or a comfort item (something familiar is often best, like a small blanket or a small stuffed animal) that they know can be with them until they get to the surgery room.
Employ Therapeutic Storytelling
Pre-surgery therapeutic storytelling can be a gentle and effective way to help children cope with their anxieties about surgery. It involves crafting a narrative that relates to the child's situation, which can help normalize their feelings and promote understanding. By identifying with a character who successfully overcomes a similar challenge, a child may feel more confident and less fearful.
The process of storytelling also offers a safe space for children to express their emotions and ask questions. Consider weaving in themes of bravery and courage. Encourage your child to create their own story of how they brave their upcoming procedure.
Teach Calming Yoga and Breathing
Teaching children gentle yoga or calming breathing exercises can be particularly beneficial in managing pre-surgery anxiety. Yoga combines physical postures with mindfulness, aiding them in focusing on the present moment rather than their concerns. Deep breathing techniques can also have a calming effect by signaling the body to relax.
Engaging a child in these practices can empower them with tools to self-soothe when they start to feel worried. Invite your child to practice these exercises together regularly as their surgical procedure approaches.
Use Distraction Techniques
Distraction can be a powerful tool in helping a child cope with pre-surgery anxiety. By focusing the child’s attention on engaging activities like puzzles, playing games, or listening to music, their mind is temporarily diverted away from the anxiety-provoking stimulus. These activities can be both enjoyable and comforting, helping to create a positive association with the hospital environment.
Distraction techniques can also promote a sense of normalcy in an unfamiliar setting. Discover and offer various activities that your child enjoys to help them through anxious moments.
Offer Medical Explanations and Visuals
Providing child-friendly medical explanations and visuals can help demystify the surgical process and reduce fear caused by the unknown. Illustrations and simple explanations help children understand what to expect in a non-threatening way. This educational approach can empower them with knowledge, which often leads to a greater sense of control and reduced anxiety.
Age-appropriate books and resources are available to aid in explaining procedures. Start a dialogue with your child using these tools to help them understand their upcoming surgery.
Introduce a Comfort Item
Introducing a comfort item, like a stuffed animal, can be a source of reassurance for a child facing surgery. Holding onto a familiar object can provide emotional support and a sense of security in a clinical environment that may otherwise seem intimidating. It allows the child to have something tangible to focus on and derive comfort from during anxious moments.
Comfort items can serve as a reminder of home and normalcy. Encourage your child to choose a favorite item to bring with them on the day of the surgery.