ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Surgery induced stress and anxiety in children and parents can be reduced by providing preoperative information adapted to their needs. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three different information modalities (coloring page, mobile application and videos) to prepare children and their parents for day-care surgery on preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain experienced by the child, and preoperative anxiety and satisfaction of parents. METHODS: Prospective observational study including children and their parents that were offered specifically developed information modalities to prepare for day-care surgery. Results were compared between children and their parents that used none (i.e., control group) versus one or more information modalities (i.e., intervention group). Primary outcomes were preoperative anxiety measured using PROMIS v2.0 Anxiety and postoperative pain in children. Secondary outcomes were preoperative parental anxiety (STAI questionnaire) and family satisfaction with information and communication (modified PedsQL Healthcare Satisfaction questionnaire). Subgroup analyses were performed between preschoolers (0-5 years) and school-aged (≥5) children. RESULTS: 93 patients (male 53%) were included in the intervention (n=56) and control group (n=37). Levels of children's preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain, and parental anxiety did not differ between both groups. Families of prepared children were more satisfied with information and communication about preoperative surgical information (8 vs. 6.6, p=0.004) and satisfaction with how parents (7 vs 8, p=0.019) and children (8 vs 6, p=0.018) were prepared for surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anxiety did not differ between prepared and unprepared children. The use of specifically developed family-centered and age-appropriate information modalities to prepare children for day-care surgery at home results in superior family satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
