Pediatric Preanesthesia Anxiety and Factors of Family Satisfaction.

PURPOSE: Pediatric patients scheduled for procedures with anesthesia experience stress and feelings of anxiety, but frequently lack the opportunity to report their feelings. Pediatric patient anxiety may be related to internal (patient perceptions/emotions) or external (demographic/family knowledge/satisfaction) factors. The purpose of the study was to explore patient reports of anxiety in young school-age through adolescent ages, and factors of family satisfaction before a scheduled procedure with anesthesia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational. METHODS: A voluntary survey including family-report of patient age and past anesthesia, type of procedure, family satisfaction factors (knowledge of anesthesia; perioperative concerns), and patient-report of anxiety with a visual analog scale (0-10) was offered to eligible families at their preanesthesia clinic appointment. FINDINGS: Completed surveys from 80 families (mean age of patient = 12 years; range 7-17 years) showed legally authorized guardians (LAGs) felt the preanesthesia visit helped them understand anesthesia information, but they also had concerns, such as complications and pain. Patient anxiety ratings ranged from 0 to 10 (M = 3.3, SD = 3.1), and were slightly higher for patients 11 years and younger (M = 3.8; SD = 3.4). Anxiety ratings were not significantly correlated with other factors measured. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients, ages 7-17, report preanesthesia anxiety levels ranging from "not at all" to "worst imaginable," unrelated to demographic or family factors. Family members have perioperative concerns that need to be addressed before scheduled procedures. There is an impetus for improvement in psychosocial assessment and health care team collaboration to meet needs in a family-centered preanesthesia care model.

Bio-behavioural research in a rare disease population: a doctoral student's experience.

BACKGROUND: Novice researchers who aspire to contribute to the body of knowledge concerning rare diseases face unique challenges in developing and conducting studies. These include unknown effect sizes in previous research, limitations in recruitment and enrolment, and managing data from a multi-site sample. AIM: To describe the challenges in researching rare diseases and possible solutions using a doctoral student exemplar from a cross-sectional correlational study of fatigue. DISCUSSION: The authors discuss the lessons learned from the study, including the challenges in recruitment, communication, collecting biological data and managing data in general. They posit possible solutions, including improving multi-site coordination, feasible methods for exploring sleep and stress, and measures to prevent equipment and data loss. CONCLUSION: Rare populations, such as young survivors of childhood brain tumours, deserve a voice in building the body of knowledge needed for more precise, personalised healthcare. It is possible with foresight for the novice researcher to make such a contribution. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Improved knowledge and assessment of symptoms during childhood will improve the detection of health risk factors and enable earlier intervention.