Preparation of children for emergency medical care: a primary prevention approach.
Increased emergency room use and the resulting rise in pediatric visits have prompted interest in psychological aspects of pediatric emergency care. This study evaluated the efficacy of a multicomponent hospital program designed to prepare children for emergency room visits. In Phase 1, 148 kindergarteners completed measures of medical fears and knowledge at pretreatment, posttreatment, and a 4-week follow-up. Program attenders had significantly fewer medical fears and higher medical knowledge at posttest and follow-up than control children. The program was more effective for black than white children. In Phase 2, 51 high-fear children from Phase 1 were selected randomly to attend a medical examination in an emergency room. No effects for program emerged on the observational distress measures or physiological arousal. Phase 2 children showed significantly increased medical knowledge at follow-up compared to children who did not receive the medical exam.
McFarland
P H
PH
Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2160.
Stanton
A L
AL
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology