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Sometimes children find parts of their medical visit, scan, blood test, procedure or hospital stay distressing or challenging. Fear of the unknown in a new situation can cause anxiety, crying, shouting, or lashing out physically. This can be upsetting for the child and the parents or carers, and difficult for staff. Children can be helped with good preparation beforehand.

This is a huge topic, so I am writing an eBook soon. This will cover more detailed preparation and tips to help during and after the procedure. This blog will be an overview of how to help prepare in general for procedures like injections, scans, operations, and other medical visits.

1 – ASK QUESTIONS

  • Talk to the medical team involved, find out if you can be in the room with your child the whole time or part of it.
  • Ask the 4 W’s – You want to know Why the procedure is needed and how it will help their body? What happens during the procedure? Where will it happen? What might the child feel? A child will want to know these answers, depending on their age.

2 – UNDERSTAND

  • The more you understand, the more you will be able to help your child. Ask more questions if you need to.
  • Talk about previous procedures if there are any and what was helpful or unhelpful before. Ask for other suggestions if you need them.

3 – GIVE THEM CHOICES

  • Children love a choice to feel like they have some control. Ask what choices are available.
  • For an X-ray, they may be able to choose when the radiographer pushes the button, count to 3 to hear the beep sound. For an MRI scan – choose the music they listen to, or in some scanners what movie to watch on a screen. 
  • What side do they want the parent to stand on – if this is an option?
  • Choosing a colour for the cast if they have a broken bone, like in the story ‘Ana’s Magic X-ray’.
  • Within reason, choosing what to do after the procedure like a favourite food, toy shop or playground.

4 – FAMILIARIZE

  • If possible, you could ask to take your child to see the equipment used for the procedure beforehand. This might be looking at an x-ray machine, scanner, radiotherapy or hospital room.
  • If you have a doctor’s toy kit at home, get them familiar with not only what is used but different words used.

5 – BE HONEST

  • A common mistake we make as parents to play down the situation is we might say it won’t hurt when we know it will. This is age-dependent, but you could say it might hurt but it will be over quickly, and they will be OK. This means your child will trust what you tell them.
  • If they want to know whether there will be an injection/shot, don’t let it be a surprise at the time, and let them know that you will be there with them. Words like saying it is a little pinch or scratch on their arm are relatable and not too scary.
  • Don’t promise you will be there with them the whole time until you are sure you can be and have checked with staff.

6 – USE BOOKS

  • Children’s books told in a relatable way help children see themselves in the character. Books show them what may happen, instead of telling them. Look for books online related to the procedure, sometimes you can download an eBook version if you need it sooner.  
  • ‘Ana’s Magic X-ray’ is written to help in many situations as the mindset theme teaches them how to think positively and use their imagination, as well as the power of distraction. Check it out here.
  • Use videos and information online, choose carefully which videos you show your child, you don’t want to over-inform and end up making them more anxious.

7 – TIMING IS EVERYTHING

  • When you tell your child about the procedure coming up depends on their age. Telling them too far out can make some children feel more worried for longer, you also don’t want to spring it on a child on the day and panic them. As long as there is some time for questions and preparation for children old enough to do this. You know your child best but here is a rough guide for ages to consider.

3-4 Year olds – tell them 1-2 days before

5-6 Year olds – tell them 3-5 days before

7-11 year olds – tell them about 7 days before, giving time for preparation

12 Years and over – Involve them from the start in planning the procedure, giving plenty of time for questions and preparation.

8 – WATCH YOUR WORDS

  • Try not to coax a child with statements like ‘be good’ because that can make them feel ashamed if they do have any reaction. Avoid things like ‘it’s just a fingerstick’ in case it ends up not being a fingerstick, a different approach can panic the child.
  • If they are having an operation, some children can be triggered with the words ‘put to sleep’ or ‘go to sleep’ after the doctor gives them the medicine. Maybe they have had a pet that was put to sleep and never woke up. Make it clear they will sleep during the procedure and the medicine stops them from feeling anything. Explain they then wake up with another special medicine when it is done.
  • Telling them they won’t remember anything when they wake up because of the medicine is good too as this can be a confusing time.  

9 – PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

  • Practice doing things like opening their mouth to say ahh for doctor’s visits. Your child can practice using a doctor’s kit on a parent or a sibling and act out the procedure after you show them what to do.
  • Use dolls or toys to act out the procedure too. This helps children visualize it and they may even be able to take that same toy with them to the procedure.
  • They could position the toy on the table or the chair first where they will be for the procedure or hold it next to them. Always check with staff first, especially for an MRI scan as the toy will need to be checked for any metal inside due to the strong magnet. The toy won’t be allowed into a sterile theatre environment but can be with them on the bed ride to the theatre.
  • Blood test – practice using a scarf or piece of material to tighten around their arm, so the feeling of a tight tourniquet doesn’t shock them. You could even practice some quick sharp-ish sensations on their arm by using your fingernail to do a light ‘pinch’ or pretend with a pen to do an injection (ink pen off) just so they get used to the idea.
  • Staying still – get them to put their arm out to the side on a pillow and practice staying still for a few minutes to prepare for an injection or blood test. Focusing on a poster or something on the wall or thinking of a song they could sing in their head at the time, will give them a good idea of how long it takes and be a good distraction.
  • There are free posters to download on the Kidsology books website in many colours. You will get all of them when you sign up at the bottom of this page. This poster can be something they have in their room to say at night or memorize to say at times they need the distraction like in Ana’s Magic X-ray’. A poster may be placed in a medical room for children to look at. My daughter has one in her room, saying this poem makes her feel good about herself and has opened discussions. She has then thought of the poem at times when she has felt nervous, such as before a speech at school. Saying or singing it to herself in her mind helps bring the feel-good feelings back.   
  • For an MRI scan or other scan or a procedure where they need to lie down for a while, find out roughly how long for and practice this at home. Give them music to listen to and remind them to relax their muscles and don’t move anything for that time. Giving them the same music they will have during the scan is helpful too.
  • Sometimes children will need sedation to be still like for an MRI scan when it is hard for young ones to be still. Depending on their age and stage and how prepared they are, sometimes sedation can be avoided, especially if they are well prepared. This will depend on the procedure and be advised by medical staff.

10 – BREATHE TO RELAX

  • During the practice time, is a good chance to show children some breathing techniques. When we are anxious, both adults and children, we can breathe too quickly or hold our breath sometimes. Teaching children to concentrate on their breathing is helpful. This will be covered in another blog with specific techniques explained. The main idea is to breathe in slowly through the nose, hold briefly, and breathe out slowly through the mouth. This is something you can remind them of during the procedure as a focus, distraction, and calming the heart rate. This has helped many claustrophobic patients get through an MRI scan, adults and children.
  • Relaxing every muscle starting from the toes up to the head is a good tip too, as we often tense up our muscles when we are anxious. This also helps when they are trying to stay still. The more relaxed they are, the easier it is to stay still.
  • You could find some great meditation music and audio for children online that they could listen to before going to sleep, or lullabies. This same music could be given to them to listen to during their procedure to trigger that relaxed feeling.

11 – KNOW WHEN TO HOLD ‘EM, KNOW WHEN TO WALK AWAY

  • Most of the time parents or carers will be able to stay with the child throughout the procedure. For operations in a sterile environment, this is different, but you will be able to be with them right up to when they have the anesthetic. Although this is hard to watch, your child needs you there if you can manage it. Even though I’ve seen hundreds of people have anesthetic when I did X-rays in theatre, it was very different watching my daughter go under 🙁  
  • Sometimes you need to know when you should be there (hold ’em) and when it is best to leave it to the medical staff (walk away). Children pick up on how the adults are feeling. We often have our worries and try hard to be strong for our children.
  • If the stress is getting hard to control, that is understandable, just take a break if you can and tell a staff member so they can help support you and your child. You could even bring another family member or friend to take over at times which takes the pressure off yourself, especially if you know it will be emotionally challenging.
  • Sometimes the child will react more if the parent is there, sometimes less, so it depends on the child and the procedure.
  • Try and look at it from the outside and what is going to work best at the time to get the best outcome. If you need to step out of the room, let them know you will be close by and right back.

12 – DON’T PASS ON YOUR FEARS

  • If you have a fear of needles for example, or claustrophobia, be aware that we often project our own fears and anxieties onto our children, friends and family members without even realizing it. Conversations overheard about us complaining about how awful something was for us, stay in the head of the little ears listening.
  • A lot of fears like needles, hospitals, anesthetics, etc. can be ‘learned fears’ from parents and their reactions before children have even experienced things for themselves.
  • Many times, I have had a patient say they are claustrophobic because they are scared after what a friend or relative said. That was their experience, usually, it is completely different for someone else. Sometimes, patients build it up to be something that it isn’t, purely based on other people’s experience. It is often then a pleasant surprise to learn they aren’t claustrophobic after all. More on claustrophobia in another blog to come.

13 – MEDICINES

  • For procedures check whether you should give your child any pain relief before the procedure or not. If you do, make sure staff know so they can time it for the next dose if needed.
  • If your child takes medication check when/if to stop that as well.
  • Before operations don’t give children any of their vitamins if they have them, this will be in the pre-op instructions how many days before you should stop. Some vitamins, like those with vitamin E, can increase the risk of bleeding for surgical procedures.
  • Numbing cream – this is my favourite trick for blood tests and shots/injections, especially in the early years to make the first experience a lot easier. My children were so surprised about barely feeling the needle, which gave them good first-time memories. As they got older, we didn’t use the ‘magic cream’ as they then understood how quick it was and didn’t have bad memories or fears built up.
  • There will be different numbing creams in different countries so just ask medical staff first and check with your chemist. The cream I used had to be applied to the correct area one hour before the injection. You will need to arrange to go in earlier for medical staff to put the cream on the right areas. Ask in hospitals as they will have numbing cream for children.

I hope this helps! Look out for my next article about how to help DURING procedures with distraction and play therapy techniques.

Sign up to the ‘Kidsology Community’ below so you don’t miss upcoming articles, free activity eBooks, and more.

Download the free posters for your child’s bedroom or medical room below.

Check out my first book ‘Ana’s Magic X-ray’ here. It is available worldwide on Amazon, through the publisher, or google the title to find another site near you to compare shipping cost. New Zealand for example has it available through Paper Plus online.

Stay awesome:)

Jenny

Poster mockup in a modern and luminous living room

Sources: The Royal Children’s Hospital, ‘Reducing your child’s discomfort during procedures’ https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/factsheets

Testing, testing.com ‘Tips to help children during their medical tests’

ParentCo. Wellbeing, www.parent.com/blogs/conversations/2016-how-to-manage-your-kids-anxiety-during-medical-procedures

NHS The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/great-north-childrens-hospital/childrens-health-psychology/resources/helping-your-child-when-they-are-worried-about-medical-procedures/

Children’s Wisconsin, https://childrenswi.org/newshub/stories/tips-for-preparing-a-child-for-a-doctor-visit

5 thoughts on “13 ways to help prepare children for medical procedures”

  1. Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, superb blog!

    1. Will do! I have the next blog following on from this ‘preparation’ blog, about how to help ‘during’ procedures which should be done within the next month:) Thanks for your comment, Jenny

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