Pediatric professionals, what's one technique you use to help ease a child's anxiety before a surgical procedure?

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 the ahead of time how much they want to know about the procedure.

I find working with a child life specialist extremely helpful. They are wonderful at using play in order to help a child understand the procedure they will be undergoing. This allows them to better know what to expect - often times 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 stuffie) that they know can be with them until they get to the surgery room.

One technique I use to ease a child's anxiety before a surgical procedure is turning the hospital experience into a playful adventure. For example, I’ll introduce the surgical mask as a superhero mask and the operating room as a special mission control. I engage the child by asking them to help me "prepare" for the mission, which might involve simple tasks like counting down to “launch” or pressing buttons on imaginary consoles. This approach distracts them from the fear of surgery and reframes the experience in a way that feels familiar and fun. By creating a positive and imaginative environment, the child feels more in control and less anxious, making the entire process smoother for both them and their caregivers.

Alleviating a child's anxiety before surgery is essential for their comfort and the procedure's success. One effective method is "medical play," which familiarizes the child with the process. At The Joyful Pediatric Clinic, pediatric nurses and child life specialists use a structured medical play program that introduces a surgical doll to children before their surgery, helping reduce fear and anxiety.