Preparing Children with CHD for Medical Procedures
Ages 1 - 24 Years
Many children (and adults!) feel anxious when they are getting ready for a medical procedure. For kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs), these fears can be particularly intense, especially if they have had scary or unpredictable medical experiences in the past. In this video, experts describe how parents can reduce stress, and help children to prepare for procedures with a sense of control and security.
Preparing for procedures
Many children with heart defects have medical anxiety. In some cases, this medical anxiety is similar to what we see in children without medical challenges. In other cases, children with heart defects have experienced traumatic medical experiences, and their fear is much more significant.
In this video, psychologists Elisa Bronfman and Lauren Mednick join Child Life Specialist Caitlin McGowan to teach families strategies for preparing children for medical procedures. When families follow these strategies, they can reduce stress and increase confidence both in children and in themselves.
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Video: strategies to help
Families local to Boston can seek help in preparing for procedures from the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program and/or Child Life.
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