Should parents share medical information with their young children? A prospective study.
Medical information
PTSD
Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress (PMTS)
Surgical procedures
Journal
Comprehensive psychiatry
ISSN: 1532-8384
Titre abrégé: Compr Psychiatry
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0372612
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 2019
01 2019
Historique:
received:
26
05
2018
revised:
17
11
2018
accepted:
21
11
2018
pubmed:
7
12
2018
medline:
7
1
2020
entrez:
4
12
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
As psychiatric consultants to pediatric wards, we are often asked whether to disclose to young children full information about the invasive medical procedures they face. To date, no studies have been published offering an evidence-based answer to this question. This prospective study examined whether sharing medical information with young children regarding invasive interventions correlates with the development of chronic post-traumatic stress three to five months after hospitalization. The participants in this prospective study were parents of 151 children aged 3-13 who were hospitalized in a pediatric surgery ward. The sample was representative of the population hospitalized in this ward during that year. Independent of the study, parents of 104 children chose to share with them information regarding the procedure they were about to undergo, while parents of 47 children chose not to do so. t-Tests were used to assess the correlation between the children's exposure to medical information and their level of long-term post-intervention stress. Findings show an inverse correlation between the children's exposure to medical information and their level of post-traumatic stress several months after their medical episode. The correlation is significant in both preschool children and school-aged children. We suggest the implementation of psychoeducation programs among both medical staff and parents in order to increase awareness of the importance of sharing medical information with young children facing medical challenges.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
As psychiatric consultants to pediatric wards, we are often asked whether to disclose to young children full information about the invasive medical procedures they face. To date, no studies have been published offering an evidence-based answer to this question. This prospective study examined whether sharing medical information with young children regarding invasive interventions correlates with the development of chronic post-traumatic stress three to five months after hospitalization.
METHOD
The participants in this prospective study were parents of 151 children aged 3-13 who were hospitalized in a pediatric surgery ward. The sample was representative of the population hospitalized in this ward during that year. Independent of the study, parents of 104 children chose to share with them information regarding the procedure they were about to undergo, while parents of 47 children chose not to do so. t-Tests were used to assess the correlation between the children's exposure to medical information and their level of long-term post-intervention stress.
RESULTS
Findings show an inverse correlation between the children's exposure to medical information and their level of post-traumatic stress several months after their medical episode. The correlation is significant in both preschool children and school-aged children.
CONCLUSIONS
We suggest the implementation of psychoeducation programs among both medical staff and parents in order to increase awareness of the importance of sharing medical information with young children facing medical challenges.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30504070
pii: S0010-440X(18)30197-4
doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.11.012
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
52-56Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.