The Fear of Surgical Treatments in School-Aged Children

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วชรีกร อังคประสาทชัย
ยุนี พงศ์จตุรวิทย์

Abstract

School-aged children generally start having their individual perceptions. They are able to increasingly evaluate situations, and make their own judgments for some certain matters. They initially understand several events logically; however, they could easily cause fear of many things. When they are ill and admitted to hospital for treatment, they appear to be able to understand their illness and the treatment procedures. Surgical treatments are considered to be significant procedures, which are generally seen in school-aged children cases. However, if school-age children do not cooperate during the surgical procedure, it will consequently impact every step of the operation performance and medical care process. Thus, the main problem usually found is that school-aged children feared of being admitted to operations. The fear of operations of school-aged children is an emotional reaction toward a hazardous or threatening situation. This could lead to both positive and negative behavior to adjust and avoid themselves to minimize the effects of that threatening situation. Fears of school-aged children could naturally occur depending on their maturity and learning level, which usually changes based on their age, intellectual development, perception, experience, and environment.


This article therefore presents the guidelines for looking after school-aged children with fear of operations, which is expected to reduce the children’s fear related reactions and behavior. The study findings should lead to efficiency of care and become guidelines for nurses, which are important carers, who can help reduce the fear of school-aged children that are admitted to hospitals for operations.

Article Details

Section
Literature Review

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