THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION: ESTABLISHING A BOND OF TRUST BETWEEN THE CHILD AND THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Surgery, like hospitalization, is an experience that brings a lot of anxiety to children. At the time of hospitalization, the child is removed from their family, remaining in a strange environment, where they live with unknown people and are the target of routines and procedures that tend to cause discomfort and pain. In the surgical center, this situation is generally exacerbated. During the period before anesthesia, anxiety can manifest itself in different ways. Some children verbalize their fears, while others demonstrate anxiety through behavioral changes. Objective: The objective of this research was to investigate and highlight the importance of effective communication in building a bond of trust between children and anesthesiologists, aiming to improve the pediatric patient's experience during anesthetic surgical procedures. Methodology: To construct this study, an analysis of scientific articles indexed in electronic databases: MEDLINE, IBECS, LILACS, SCIELO, WPEIM, PUBMED, and SCIENCE DIRECT, following the time frame from 2013 to 2023, where a total of 46 articles were found. The inclusion criteria were articles written in Portuguese, Spanish or English, published within the time frame, full texts, available and free of charge. Articles that did not contain the words “anesthesia” or “anxiety”, research that did not contribute to the study and publications longer than the established time frame were excluded from the analysis. Within the 46 articles, 14 were then selected for review and analysis. Results and Discussion: The results analyzed revealed that hospitalization significantly impacts children, triggering stress, anxiety, and fear. Therefore, in addition to pharmacological measures, non-pharmacological measures must be implemented with the aim of reducing and preventing anxiety and, therefore, ensuring a calmer experience for the child. Interventions such as preparation programs, through different informative and playful modalities, emerge as valuable tools to smooth the process, promoting a more welcoming hospital environment for children. Conclusion: Pediatric hospitalization, especially in surgical procedures, emerges as a challenging experience and is characterized by subjective feelings of tension, fear, nervousness, and worry that can be expressed in different ways. The literature review highlights the significant psychological impact, highlighting the importance of non-pharmacological approaches as a measure to minimize such reactions.