Communication in Paediatrics
Jan 30, 2025
Small talk - the art of communicating with kids ๐ฃ๏ธ๐ถ
Communicating with paediatrics during Anaesthesia is an artform ๐จ - a skill crafted over time with lots of experience ๐. The usual doctor-nurse-patient dynamic changes with the inclusion of a parent or carer ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฆ, which comes with its own particular nuances and considerations โ๏ธ.
To help develop your paediatric communication skills ๐ง , or refresh the skills you already have, here is a quick guide ๐ to some of the key elements of talking to our littlest patients! ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ง
๐ Honesty is key!
Be honest with them, don’t lie or hide truths in an attempt to spare them from fear or anxiety ๐. Honesty builds trust ๐ค and helps develop your rapport with your patient, keeping them calmer in the moment ๐. Always make sure to speak with them at their eye level ๐, in plain, simple language that they can understand ๐ฃ๏ธ.
๐ก Introduce the team:
This might seem obvious ๐ค, but ensure that your patient has met the team (without masks! ๐ท), and has a really good understanding of who will be in the room with them ๐ฉโ๏ธ๐จโ๏ธ and what they will be doing ๐ ๏ธ. Encourage your techs and scrub nurses ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฌ to try and see the patient pre-procedure to introduce themselves ๐
๐ Prepare them:
Explaining the process of what is about to happen ๐ถโ๏ธ can help children to feel more in control of their situation ๐ฎ. Pay particular attention to elements that will cause sensory stimulation ๐ง - for example “there might be a funny smell in the mask ๐” or “there will be lots of machines beeping ๐, they are just telling us how healthy you are! ๐”
๐ Involve their carer:
Make sure that the care person ๐งโ๏ธ understands the details of what will happen ๐๏ธ, and clarify any questions they may have โ. It is important to acknowledge their anxieties ๐ฐ and concerns to help them remain calm ๐ง. Ensure they understand what is expected of them in the situation ๐ค, and make sure that they are always in the child's line of sight ๐ and if possible, providing reassuring touch ๐คฒ to the child.
๐งธ A touch of home!
Ask the child if they would like to bring something into the theatre with them ๐งธ, such as their favourite teddy ๐งธ or comforter ๐๏ธ. This can provide an added layer of security ๐ก๏ธ and comfort to the child during induction ๐, and can also be immediately available to them post-procedure when they wake up ๐
. It can also be a great way to distract them ๐!
As children grow, their communication ๐ฃ๏ธ and level of understanding grows with them ๐, so each interaction needs to be tailored to the child, with special consideration for those who are neurodivergent ๐ง , chronically ill ๐, or have had previous unpleasant or traumatic experiences with surgery and anaesthesia โ ๏ธ.
Build Knowledge โ
Improve Safety โ
References:
Crowe A. L. (2020). Communication skills with children in paediatric anaesthesia: challenges while wearing a face mask. BMJ paediatrics open,https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000846
Royal Childrens Hospital (2021) Communicating procedures to children - clinical practice guideline. https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Communicating_procedures_to_families/
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