An investigation of parental involvement in explaining imaging procedures to children in an Irish paediatric hospital

Background

Children often present for imaging displaying signs of distress and anxiety about their surroundings. Authors agree there are deficiencies in how this anxiety and distress is addressed. When children are anxious, the challenges in producing diagnostic images cannot be underestimated. Parents have a pivotal role in explaining examinations to children, as inherently they hold the utmost trust from their child.

Purpose

The current investigation determined measures taken by parents to prepare their child for imaging and considered the effectiveness of these measures.

Methods

Parents of children aged two to sixteen were interviewed over nine days in one large, paediatric, city centre hospital. The interview established the content of parental explanations, sources of information from which parents drew their information, and parents’ opinion of the child's tolerance of the examination. The 32 interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The accuracy and age appropriateness of the explanations were considered, parental perceptions of child tolerance were analysed, and useful resources for future reference were considered.

Results

Parents who talked to their children gave age-appropriate explanations. Parents consider practical information is important, including what rooms look like, the machinery, noises and lead coats. However, a majority of parents did not speak to their children about an examination in advance of arriving at the hospital. Parents perceptions of how well a child tolerates an examination are focussed on whether the examination is completed and an image produced rather than how well the child copes.

Conclusions

Presentation of information in easily noticeable, visual formats, especially within waiting rooms, could promote conversations between child and parent, and enable greater preparation of children for imaging. Information should emphasise the practical aspects of procedures. Radiographer initiatives are needed to educate parents that imaging procedures do not have to be stressful for children.