Easing a Sick Child's Fears and Anxieties

Easing a Sick Child's Fears and Anxieties As a parent, you are central to the decisions made about your children's health care. You are an important member of the health care team. Therefore, before your child undergoes any treatment, it is critical for you to have a full understanding of the diagnosis, procedure and options available. This will help you manage fears and anxieties your child may feel as a result of a medical procedure. Here are some ways parents can help their children undergo a medical procedure. Gather information Know why your child needs a procedure, how the procedure may feel and how long it will last. Consider being with your child during the procedure. Be honest and sensitive Explain to your child why he needs the procedure and what he can expect to feel, see and hear. Be honest with your child about what may hurt and what will not hurt. Try to avoid creating undue concern for your child. Encourage curiosity and exploration Becoming familiar with the health care facility and understanding the equipment that will be used during treatment or diagnosis is very important to a child. Help your child learn about the purpose of the examination and the medical equipment that he will come in contact with. Reassure your child Make sure your child knows that the hospital, doctor's office or clinic is not a punishment and it is not necessarily a place where children will experience pain. Use simple language When describing a medical procedure try to use words that do not have double meanings or are threatening. Use the word "medicine" instead of " dye," "bed on wheels" instead of "stretcher," and "numb" or "make sleepy" instead of "deaden."