How the pediatrician should inform the child

Pediatricians often forget that our patients need to reasonably understand what is happening to them, just like adults. Children suffering from a disease self-formulate questions of the type: What happens to me? What happens to me is normal? Have I done something wrong to be like this? Why do my han

Pediatricians often forget that our patients need to reasonably understand what is happening to them, just like adults. Children suffering from a disease self-formulate questions of the type: What happens to me? What happens to me is normal? Have I done something wrong to be like this? Why do my hands get cold? Why do not I feel like eating? Why do I bleed? Why do not they give me anything to eat? How long will I be admitted? How many times will I have to go to the hospital? Will any of the tests that have sent me harm me?

Decalogue of the pediatrician to inform the sick child

As a guide, we propose the following informative decalogue, especially designed for our small patients: Cerca 1. Proximity

. First of all, we will look at you in front and we will show you close. Let's introduce ourselves to them too. It's good that they know what our name is.2. Desfing.

We will try to break the ice, and we will go on to tell him with some self-assurance (but without falling into the comic) what happens to him. For example, if we talk to a celiac: 'There are children who can not eat fried eggs; you can eat them, and wet the yolk with bread, but you have to do it with a bread a little different from the normal one. That special bread does not have gluten, which is what makes you sick. " 3. Optimism.

Try to convey positivity with your sentences: 'Now you have a spot in the lung that makes you breathe regularly, but as soon as you pass you'll be able to go to the country for a long walk'. 4. Alternatives.

'In effect, you will miss Alberto's birthday, but another day you can invite Alberto and all your friends to play at home. You're going to have a great time. '5. Drawings.

When they feel bad, young children think that 'their whole body is bad'. We can use a very schematic drawing and point out exactly what is wrong. 6. Understanding.

Children under the age of two do not understand what it is to be sick, but they worry about being separated from their parents. For this reason, we will tell you that your father or mother will be in the hospital, always, with them. Between the ages of 2 and 6, children are aware that they are sick, and they must be explained with simplicity what happens to them. To avoid feelings of guilt, do not forget to tell them that what happens to them is not a consequence of their behavior. Above 6 years, the level of understanding is greater, and you have to adapt to it at the time of reporting. 7. Do not lie.

If the child asks us if he is going to do an analysis, it is not advisable to tell him 'but it will not hurt'. It is better to tell him that 'it can bother you a bit, but if you blow, it will soon pass'. Or 'they're going to put a spray on you to bother you very little'. 8. Leave the door open.

The information will be constant, day by day. We will recommend the child and the parents to write down on a paper all the questions that the child is asked. 9. They listen to us.

Even if it does not look like it, while the doctors talk to their parents, the children listen to us. 10, Empathize.

If the illness is long and the recovery tedious, talk in understandable terms like 'this is a bit of a bummer, it is normal that you will one day be a bit down'. 'Do not feel bad if you're angry'. And finally: we must make it clear that they are not the only ones who have gone through this. It is important to clarify that "not only they have had a mesenteric adenitis, many others like him have already healed", "pneumonias are frequent, they tend to go very well and do not generate sequelae". Let them be actively involved in therapeutic decisions: 'What better calms your pain, paracetamol or metamizole?'