Jay Wellons (MD, MSPH, is a professor in the departments of neurological surgery, pediatrics, plastic surgery, radiology, and radiological sciences.)

Surgery is scary, but so is every hospital or clinic for a lot of children; they usually don’t understand that Doctors and Nurses are just attempting to make them healthy again. A variety of workers come together to help children come together, including pediatric doctors, nurses, and sometimes child life specialists. 

Childrens’ Nerves

When a child freaks out at a hospital during their visits, they are scared because they don’t know what is going on. Sometimes they get something called White Coat Syndrome, which is when a child’s blood pressure readings are too high at a doctor’s office. Mostly when they are anxious about the doctors they see in white coats.

In Dr. Wellons’s book All That Moves Us, he writes, “…the tumor came back. This time at the surface of the brain involving the dura (which is typically immune from GMB).” A young boy had initially been treated for a tumor, but it returned, making him sick—a terrifying experience for any child. Also, Dr.Wellons illustrates this well: “…we are dangling a stuffed tiger over the bed. The boy reaches up with his right hand and swats at it, squealing with frustration if we start to take it away.” This reflects how children struggle to understand that doctors are trying to help them regain strength, often interpreting actions as something being taken away.

Coping Mechanisms
There are many ways that a doctor or even a nurse can help a child become more comfortable in a hospital setting. A few that were found to work better by Jenny Halle (RN, BSN, CPN, MSN,) a Nurse at Marshfield Children’s Hospital, and the people she has helped have been multiple things. Like getting on their level, and talking to them like you are about their age. Explain what you are going to do before you do whatever you plan on performing; kids act a lot better when you’re talking to them and not lying about what you are going to do because you don’t want to scare them by making them kick and scream. 

Not only do the children in the hospitals need to cope, but so do their parents and siblings. One way to do that is to talk with them and try to listen to what they have to say without giving them any advice. Another is to explain what you need to do with the child and ask if they need a break to go grab something to eat or just walk around to cool off while you are with the child. 

According to an article from the Cleveland Clinic, “Child life specialists help reduce pain and anxiety during medical procedures.” These professionals are crucial in supporting children and their families, ensuring a safe and calm environment during challenging situations. The article also mentions various techniques employed by child life specialists, such as “distraction, guided imagery, and relaxation exercises.” These approaches help children navigate difficult experiences while promoting relaxation and composure. Moreover, they can also benefit siblings and family members by fostering a more tranquil atmosphere.

Although, while there are numerous strategies to help children cope with anxiety and fear in hospital settings, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each child is unique and may respond differently to various methods of support. It is essential to understand their behaviors and needs to provide the best care possible. By exploring multiple pathways and techniques, we can create a nurturing environment that helps children feel safe and supported during their time in a hospital.

Credentials–

Jay Wellons – MD, MSPH

Jenny Halle – RN, BSN, CPN, MSN