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COMMUNICATING WITH SICK AND HOSPITALISED CHILDREN
Author(s) -
Eiser Christine
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1984.tb00143.x
Subject(s) - psychology , sick child , developmental psychology , psychiatry , pediatrics , medicine
This paper is concerned with preparing paediatric patients for hospitalisation. It is concluded that most work has focused on children requiring short-stay hospitalisation for minor surgery. All of the main techniques in use (pamphlets, video or pre-admission nursing contact) appear more beneficial to the patient and family than routine care, but no method is superior. Little attempt has been made to modify the technique according to the age of the child. It is suggested that greater benefits to the child might occur where information about illness is made appropriate to the child's cognitive level. The implications of developmental changes in children's beliefs about health and illness for such education are discussed.