Preoperative Communication with Children Who Need Surgery
Health Communication in Otorhinolaryngology, NOVA Publications , ss.271-282, 2026
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Yayınevi: NOVA Publications
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.271-282
- Anahtar Kelimeler: children, communication, healthcare, preoperative, preparation process
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
One of the key elements of healthcare treatment and care is therapeutic communication. Effective therapeutic communication between healthcare professionals and children during the perioperative period, along with the proper application of technical knowledge and skills by healthcare providers, a well-organized preoperative preparation process, and quality postoperative care, all influence the success of surgical procedures. During surgery, various factors such as different environments and clothing, unfamiliar people, diverse sounds, bright lights, medical equipment, and painful interventions can cause negative experiences for children. While children often feel emotions like anxiety, fear, anger, and stress, they may also display aggressive behavior. Children’s reactions to illness, hospitalization, and surgery vary depending on their developmental stages. Therefore, healthcare professionals should understand, observe, and assess children’s age-specific verbal, physical, and behavioral responses, and plan and implement appropriate treatment and care strategies. For example, during the perioperative period, speaking softly and gently to infants, singing soothing songs, cuddling them, and ensuring their parents are present can help build trust and improve the experience. As children grow older, explaining the surgical procedure simply using toys, models, or dolls, demonstrating with cartoons or animations about preoperative preparations, and offering opportunities to play related video games can be helpful. Healthcare professionals should first introduce themselves and the clinic to the child, then explain everything honestly using language suitable for their age, encourage open expression of feelings and thoughts, and answer their questions. Parental involvement in the healthcare process is crucial for effective communication with the child and the success of the perioperative experience.