How to prepare a child for a doctor’s visit

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There are constant discussions between parents and doctors about whether a child should know in advance that unpleasant manipulations will be performed on him, for example, an injection. Often, parents ask to examine the child in his sleep, so that he does not get scared, or to perform the injection unexpectedly, without warning, so that the child does not see, or when he is asleep. Is this right for the child? I will say unequivocally – no. First: examining a child in a dream does not give the doctor the opportunity to adequately assess his condition, level of consciousness, reaction to others. Performing painful manipulations during sleep can frighten a child. Secondly, constant untruths form a child’s distrust of everyone and everything. Providing medical care is quite often unpleasant and painful for a child. Babies endure medical manipulations with strong emotions and tears. A child’s crying during medical interventions is not always a reaction to pain, it is a way of telling others that she is scared, does not understand what is happening, and that she does not like it. To perform certain medical manipulations, the child often needs to be fixed, and this adds to the child’s discomfort and fear. In order to reduce fear and positively set the child up for the examination or injection, it is necessary to prepare him in advance and explain everything that will happen. The level of preparation depends on the age of the child. The main thing is to tell her exactly what will be done and why it is needed: for example, before vaccination, explain that you need to give a “magic injection” that will protect her from viruses and bacteria, and she will not get sick. Or, for example, you need to carry out a medical injection against the background of an illness – explain that it is needed in order to treat it, that it will help you return to your favorite activities, walks and games faster. You can explain the essence of manipulation to a child with the help of an educational cartoon or game or examples from life. The main thing is to explain in detail to the child what will happen, what he may feel and how you will help and support him. The main mistake of parents and doctors is that they deceive the child, make promises that are then not kept. For example, a child asks “Will you give an injection?”, hears the answer “No, don’t be afraid!”, and then receives a painful injection. With such actions, doctors and parents do not help, but on the contrary, they increase the level of mistrust of doctors in the child and increase fear for the future. The doctor’s answer in such a situation is necessary: ​​”First, I will examine you, and then, if an injection is needed, I will tell you about it.” In this way, you reassure the child and make it clear that he should be warned – you form a trusting relationship. Or, for example, such words before a procedure unknown to the child as “You, most importantly, don’t be afraid” or before an injection “It won’t hurt”, “There won’t be any punctures” – already set up a small patient not negatively. It is more correct to say “You are afraid, but I am there and will support you” or “I understand that you are afraid, let’s do it together.” Regarding the injection and other painful manipulations: “It will be unpleasant, but everything will pass quickly and I will hold your hand,” or “You will feel as if a mosquito has bitten you.” In this way, the child does not develop a sense of deception and betrayal. The child must understand that manipulation is a necessity, that it cannot be omitted or partially performed, that it is not a punishment. That is why it is important to talk with the little one about injections, various examinations, even if they are unpleasant or painful. It is categorically impossible to scare a child with “injections” as a punishment, for example, “You will misbehave, you will be injected” or something similar. It is a very good practice when the family pays attention to teaching the child behavior patterns during the game. Advice to parents regarding correct and undesirable behavior during medical manipulations Correct model of behavior: conduct conversations with the child on extraneous topics – discussing toys, pleasant emotional events, cartoons, not related to the disease itself or the manipulation; use various “funny jokes”, humor – this helps the child to refocus attention and thus the tension decreases; the right of choice for the child, but with clear limitations – ask the question in such a way that the child has a choice, but cannot refuse the manipulation: “Do you want to sit alone or be held in your arms?”, or “Do you want a sling with the aroma of strawberries or bananas ?”, depending on the manipulation and what choice can be offered; interpret the surrounding medical equipment in the manner of a “fantasy world” and games – for example, ask the child to imagine that a medical mask is an astronaut’s mask, medical equipment – robots or transformers, doctors – special forces or magicians, invent stories about them, etc.; be on the side of the doctors – if the decision is made about the need for manipulation, then be with the doctors, remain calm and confident. An undesirable model of behavior: a hopeful tone, apologies to the child – in the spirit of “Everything will be fine”, “Just don’t be afraid”, “Forgive me for the injection” and others. Keep the child’s focus on negative emotions and feelings; give the child the feeling that he is in control and has the choice to disagree – for example, “Are you ready to go?”, “Don’t you want to breathe through the mask?” – control of the situation by the child increases the level of excitement and the level of fear. Additionally, time is delayed; excessive use of medical terminology and medical names – the child, not understanding the meaning of the words, is even more frightened; perform medical manipulations/injections unexpectedly, without warning the child; to shame the child for crying or screaming during painful manipulations – the child’s crying is sometimes the only way for him to communicate pain, discomfort or fear; shout loudly, cry with the child, behave hysterically – when the child sees such a pattern of behavior, he becomes nervous and afraid even more; differences of opinion on treatment among parents – if one of the parents is against manipulation, the issue should not be resolved in the presence of the child, because he will take the side that is against manipulation. Olga Adamenko, head of the “Dobrobutu” emergency department, specially for UP. Life Publications in the “View” section are not editorial articles and reflect exclusively the author’s point of view.

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