Psychological Preparation of Children for Medical Procedures: An Awareness Survey Targeting Nurses in Japan

Naomi Matsumori¹, Ryoko Ito¹, Aya Kawano², Yukiko Hyakuta³

¹Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient, Onomichi General Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
³Graduate School of Comprehensive Scientific Research, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojn.2015.57065                

Abstract

Preparation is a means to support the psychological readiness and autonomy of children undergoing medical treatment. In this study, to understand the current practice and application of psychological preparation, using “explaining medical information to a child” as an indicator of respect for children’s rights, we investigated the effect of psychological preparation since 2002. The present study aimed to clarify the current status and awareness of psychological preparation for children undergoing medical procedures in pediatric nursing in Japan. An original questionnaire regarding psychological preparation for children in hospitals was sent by mail to nurses who were working in Japanese pediatric wards in 2010. Based on results from a previous study, nurses’ awareness of psychological preparation for children undergoing medical procedures seems to have improved. However, it was evident that nursing staff working in mixed wards require more specialized knowledge regarding child care, especially in terms of preparation. Furthermore, Japanese nurses recognized a need for improvement concerning their duties. It was also clear that the meaning of preparation remains ambiguous for many nurses. These results suggest that preparation has both psychological and ethical meanings.

Keywords

Psychological Preparation, Children Undergoing Medical Procedures, Pediatric Nursing, Japan

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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