Psycho-educational preparation of children for anaesthesia: A review of intervention methods

Michele Capurso; Benedetta Ragni

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2015.09.004

Psycho-educational preparation of children for anaesthesia: A review of intervention methods

Patient Educ Couns. 2016 Feb;99(2):173-85. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.09.004. Epub 2015 Oct 3.

Authors

Michele Capurso¹, Benedetta Ragni²

Affiliations

¹ Researcher and Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, Social & Human Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. Electronic address: michele.capurso@unipg.it.
² Department of Philosophy, Social & Human Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.

PMID: 26603504
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.09.004

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review the different methods available for the psycho-educational preparation of children for anaesthesia induction.

Methods: Articles were searched in Academic Search Premier, OvidSP, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Inclusion criteria were psychological and educational preparation of children for anaesthesia and anxiety reduction. The titles of papers and abstracts were reviewed and full copies of selected papers were scrutinized.

Results: Forty-four empirical studies were identified. Twenty-one articles described preoperative preparation programmes, twelve examined the effects of distractive techniques and eleven reported the effect of parental presence during anaesthesia's induction. Some general characteristics of the different interventions are discussed together with some key psychological and educational factors mediating anxiety in children undergoing anaesthesia.

Conclusion: The effectiveness of interventions were linked to several factors. Psychological and contextual aspects are discussed. Psycho-educational activities should be better described when reporting their effectiveness in children's preparation for an anaesthesia.

Practice implications: Patient and family characteristics together with organizational and systemic aspects are described in order to guide the choice of the most appropriate preparation method for diverse health care setting.

Keywords: Anxiety; Children; Interventions; Medical procedure; Prevention.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / psychology
Anesthesia*
Anxiety / etiology
Anxiety / prevention & control
Anxiety / psychology*
Anxiety / therapy*
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Patient Education as Topic*
Preoperative Care / methods
Preoperative Care / psychology*
Preoperative Period
Psychotherapy / methods*