Psychoeducational preparation of children for surgery: the importance of parental involvement.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To examine the effects of therapeutic play intervention on outcomes of children undergoing day surgery, and to highlight the importance of parental involvement in the psychoeducational preparation of children for surgery.

METHODS:
A randomized controlled trial, two group pre-test and repeated post-test, between subjects design was employed. Hong Kong Chinese children (7-12 years of age; n=203) admitted for elective surgery in a day surgery unit, along with their parents during a 13-month period, were invited to participate in the study. By using a simple complete randomization method, 97 of children with their parents were assigned to the experimental group receiving therapeutic play intervention, and 106 children with their parents were assigned to the control group receiving routine information preparation.

RESULTS:
The results showed that both children and their parents in the experimental group reported lower state anxiety scores in pre- and post-operative periods. Children in the experimental group exhibited fewer instances of negative emotional behaviors and parents in the experimental group reported greater satisfaction. The results, however, find no differences in children's post-operative pain between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:
The study provides empirical evidence to support the effectiveness of using therapeutic play intervention and the importance of parental involvement in the psychoeducational preparation of children for surgery.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:
The findings heighten the awareness of the importance of integrating therapeutic play and parental involvement as essential components of holistic and quality nursing care to prepare children for surgery.

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Author information

Author/s: Li, Ho Cheung William (HC); Lopez, Violeta (V); Lee, Tin Loi Isabel (TL);

Affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, Esther Lee Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. williamli(-atsign-)cuhk.edu.hk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Patient education and counseling (Patient Educ Couns), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jan; vol 65 (issue 1) : pp 34-41

Dates: Created 2006/12/04; Completed 2007/02/23; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16872785, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological
Ambulatory Surgical Procedures - psychology
Analysis of Variance
Anxiety - diagnosis; etiology; prevention & control; psychology
Attitude to Health
Child
Child Behavior - psychology
Child, Hospitalized - education; psychology
Emotions
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Holistic Health

Hong Kong
Humans
Male
Negativism
Nursing Evaluation Research
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Parents - education; psychology
Patient Education as Topic - methods
Play Therapy - methods
Preoperative Care - methods; psychology
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Single-Blind Method

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