Process Interventions for Vaccine Injections

Abstract

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Teddy and I Get a Check-Up: A Pilot Educational Intervention Teaching Children Coping Strategies for Managing Procedure-Related Pain and Fear

“…There is mixed evidence regarding the optimal time to educate children regarding medical procedures; therefore, another important component to address in future research is the timing of the intervention. Although education on the day of a procedure and ahead of time is recommended [ 8 ], if a child is extremely fearful regarding a procedure attempting preparation immediately beforehand may not be efficacious. In these cases, an educational program which is more removed from some of the threatening aspects of the situation (both in time and in setting) may be helpful.…”

“…Children are fearful of experiencing pain during medical procedures and may associate going to the doctor's office with needle procedures [ 1 , 2 ] (fear is defined as “an immediate alarm reaction to danger,” which triggers escape behaviour and an intense physiological response [ 3 , 4 ]). Children's medical experiences can have both short- and long-term consequences on their mental and physical health [ 4 – 8 ]. For example, when the fear and pain associated with needle procedures are not addressed, individuals may be at long-term risk for experiencing increased procedure-related pain, developing needle phobia, and not adhering to vaccination recommendations [ 4 , 7 , 9 ].…”

“…Well-child visits, vaccinations, and outpatient care occur commonly throughout childhood and may therefore play a strong role in the development of children's medical fears. Thus, children would seemingly benefit from a broad-scope educational program about general medical procedures [ 8 ]. However, most information provision research is in the context of hospitalization and/or surgical procedures [ 5 , 6 , 15 – 17 ], and research regarding how to effectively prepare children for more needles and other common minor medical procedures is needed [ 8 ].…”

“…Thus, children would seemingly benefit from a broad-scope educational program about general medical procedures [ 8 ]. However, most information provision research is in the context of hospitalization and/or surgical procedures [ 5 , 6 , 15 – 17 ], and research regarding how to effectively prepare children for more needles and other common minor medical procedures is needed [ 8 ]. Furthermore, most published reports of an educational tour in any medical setting do not include an evaluation of the tour's effects using measures with established psychometric properties or sufficient descriptions of the program [ 16 – 19 ].…”

Simple Psychological Interventions for Reducing Pain From Common Needle Procedures in Adults

“…Separate reviews explore the effectiveness of psychological interventions in young children (0 to 3 y old) and children and adolescents (>3 to 17 y old), as well as pharmacological, physical, and procedural approaches for infants, children, adolescents, and adults. 8 – 13 …”