There remains fear and phobia among children when interacting with medical staff or entering the hospital for a specific medical procedure because most children have had a bad experience with the medical treatment resulting from needles and perhaps the bad method of performing a procedure they know nothing about.
Through my experience over 30 years with patients, especially children, I have experienced this group of patients, which is not at all as complex as we think. On the contrary, it is very simple, but we have to imitate them in a way that they understand as children, not as adults.
The most important element that I recommend in managing children is honesty in talking to them and gaining their trust. For example, when I perform a cannula on a child, I cannot tell him that it does not hurt him, because he will discover my lie and it will become very difficult to proceed with the supposed medical procedure. I must take his word for it and I tell him, yes, the needle will hurt you, but if you cooperate with me, it will only be once, and I promise that I will try not to hurt you. Then the child will surrender and give me his hand.
The procedure is a blessing from the Lord of the Worlds to facilitate the task, and when it is successful, the child will laugh a distinctive laugh and tell you that the needle never hurt me at all, but just a little.
Here we must praise him and tell him because you are a hero.
I advise the medical team that if the child has a toy, leave it with him. Do not give him money, as he will be greedy. Remain smiling and calm. Call him by his name. Do not mind calling him by the name of the pamper or pet.
I assure you of your success in completing the task with the least possible psychological trauma for the child, and you will feel very happy, just as I feel about my patients, my beloved children.
The picture in this video tells the wonderful story of little Sham
She cried a lot because of the many unsuccessful attempts to insert the cannula
I came and in my style the operation was completed successfully. Perhaps I was a little nervous due to the necessity of working after being unable to hold her hand, but after that the procedure was completed and we became friends and the MRI was completed successfully.
Yahya Al-Shamali...the human being...consultant in anesthesia and intensive care
General Authority of the National Hospital in Homs - Syria
February 20, 2024