Cheerful Check-ups : Reducing the Stress and Anxiety of Medical Visits
How to Prepare for the Visit
In the same way a parent might prepare their child for a new school or other unfamiliar situation, it’s important to discuss the visit using developmentally appropriate language to explain the environment, what will occur, and the people with whom the child will likely engage, such as doctors, nurses and assistants.
- Keep things positive and provide the reason it is important to go to the doctor or to the dentist. For example, with a regular pediatric exam or dental teeth cleaning, one might say when going to the doctor or dentist, “It is to help keep us healthy.”
- Parents cultivate trust with a child by being honest about procedures and answering any questions honestly. Don’t, for example, tell the child “no shots” if there will be a shot, nor say “it won’t hurt” if it is a procedure that might cause pain. Instead, consider saying, “The shot might hurt, but just for a short time.”
- Depending on the child’s age and disability, there are a variety of desensitization practices that can greatly reduce stress and anxiety.
- Pretend play for younger children and role playing for older children before the visit can be very helpful, allowing them to take on the role of the doctor to help them feel more in control. Using stuffed animals or dolls can also be beneficial.
- Visiting the office and/or office staff ahead of time can help familiarize the child with the practitioners they’ll meet and the new environment, including lighting, sounds and smells.
- There are also many children’s books and videos to help prepare children for medical appointments and procedures. Looking at these before a visit will provide an idea of what to expect and can ease a person’s fears.
How to Have a Lower-Stress Visit
Generally, the less time spent at the medical or dental office, the lower the stress will be for both parent and child.
- When scheduling, ask for the first appointment of the day. This will usually ensure your child is seen on time, without the delays that often arise later in the day for busy medical practices.
Remember to bring along a favorite item or two that provide a sense of safety and comfort. For young children, this might be a stuffed animal.
Communicate with your doctor about your child’s specific sensitivities. Share techniques they can employ during the visit, like tone of voice or approaches to touch, to avoid triggers and help keep your child calm.
- It’s a good idea for either the parent or the medical practitioner to talk to the child throughout the visit about what is going to happen and when, explaining in developmentally appropriate language the steps in a particular exam or procedure.
- If it’s safe to do so, allowing the child to touch or explore the medical instruments used can help them feel less scared and more in control, as will allowing them to have a choice as to what might occur next, if possible.
- Counting down can be an effective method to help individuals of all ages pace and anticipate the end of an uncomfortable examination or procedure.
Breathing techniques are also a proven method to help a person regulate emotions, such as fear or anxiety.
- Among the most effective means to reduce a child’s stress is distraction. Having the individual turn away from a scary procedure, or focus their attention on a favorite television show or movie can be incredibly helpful. With this in mind, parents may wish to have their phone synced up to a favorite TV show, movie or favorite song that can be easily switched on at the appropriate time.
- Finally, it’s essential for the parent to remain calm throughout the process. One’s own attitude and demeanor can be contagious. If a parent exudes positivity and calm, this can go a long way toward reassuring the child.
After-Visit Positive Reinforcement
Parents can cultivate positive feelings about the experience by providing encouragement and positive feedback immediately after the medical visit.
- A parent might let the child know how proud they are of the bravery shown. Importantly, provide praise for the specific areas that went very well, so the child is able to understand clearly what was done well. Be sure to reinforce successes, even very small steps that went well, to build the child’s confidence.
- It can also be helpful to offer a preferred item or activity after the medical appointment to solidify positive associations with it. This shouldn’t be presented or thought of as bribery. It should be presented from a “First-Then” perspective, where tasks that are less preferred (have-to’s) come first, then followed by preferred activities (the want-to’s). For example, a parent might say “Many people prefer doing something other than going to the doctor, but we visit them to stay healthy. How about if first we go to the doctor, then we go to the park and share a favorite snack after the appointment?”
- Following these tips will hopefully allow you and your child to find the medical visits less scary and stressful.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A clinical psychologist, Bonnie Ivers, M.A., Psy.D., is Clinical Director for Regional Center of Orange County, the private, nonprofit organization contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for more than 27,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. The Regional Center is the first stop for those seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Learn more at www.rcocdd.com.
Read the article here.