The study results show that caretakers need to focus more attention on the psychological impact of hospitalization. Psychological support services are essential.
Previous research had shown that children in PICUs are more apprehensive, anxious, detached and sad than other hospitalized children.
The researchers found that parents could make a big difference. Children were comforted and had fewer lingering psychological problems if parents stayed by their sides during frightening procedures.
The authors found that the parent's presence is important, whether the child is completely awake and alert or not. A support person is reassuring.
The researchers followed 120 children who had been hospitalized in either the PICU or the regular wards at two local hospitals. The average age of the children in the study was 11 years.
Six months after hospitalization, the youngest children and those who received a larger number of invasive procedures had persistent psychological problems.
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics June 2002;23:1-12
Please review my comment in the related article in this issue.
The psychological trauma that occurs from hospitalization is very real. Fortunately, there is something you can do to be proactive in helping your child through this.
If you guessed EFT, you are right. EFT works miraculously on kids. I have provided a free manual that will allow you to do the EFT easily for your children.
A loving parent's presence and a little tapping can go a long way to preventing future health devastation.
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