Written by Meandria Boddie
No matter how important we know doctor visits may be, the simple act of getting a child to the exam room can be mental challenge for them. Sometimes it's the mere site of the waiting room that starts a child's anxiety. Some may feel more apprehensive when they enter the exam room, and for others, it’s the site of the nurse or doctor that makes them burst into tears. Clinically defined, that anxiety a child feels is called "white coat syndrome."
As a mother of 4 (most especially Mom to a preschooler), I have also been burdened by tantrums and screaming upon entering a doctor's office. But this apprehension is normal, and the good news is that we can help. There are things you can do before the visit to help your child. Here are 6-tips that I found helpful in easing my little one’s anxiety.
1. Begin at home: Depending on the child's age and level of understanding a parent can re-enact a doctor's appointment right at home. You can ask the child to perform some of the same routine task we ask them to perform in the office like standing on the scale, taking the temperature, or opening her mouth. This can help the child see that the doctors and nurses just want to help them.
2. Reading: Books that talk about the visiting the doctors are also very helpful. For me, I’ve found, Franklin goes to the Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois very helpful. A nurse gave it to me when my son was admitted in the hospital last winter. It explains some of the things that the doctor has to do in a fun way that a child can understand.
3. Why are we going: It's helpful to tell the purpose of the visit before the child even gets to the office. I find it so cute when some of our 3 year old patients come in and tell me what their illness is before we even get to the exam room. This shows that even a young child is capable of understanding the purpose of a doctors visit.
4. Don’t lie: Be honest with your children. I don't know how many times I've heard a parent tell their child "no, no there will be no shots" when the parents knows there may be shots given. This makes it difficult for the child to trust the doctors and nurses at future visits. If they are going to get vaccines, let them know. It may hurt but the pain goes away quickly and the vaccines is ensuring that you child is protected against diseases. Speak to your child on a level they understand and let them know that the shots are given to keep them healthy and the nurses give them because they care about them.
5. Be prepared: Arming yourself with some things like their favorite toy, the baby's "blankie", or other comfort items goes a long way. I think this makes the child feel like they have a little piece of their comfort zone in a place that makes them uncomfortable.
6. Explain, explain, explain: Children are naturally curious, so take advantage of that curiosity and explain the different equipment that may be used before coming for the visit. This may help ease their mind as well. Some of that anxiety may be coming from a fear of the unknown. As humans we are all equipped with fear so that we can quickly avoid situations where we are exposed to physical threats and for a child it's no different. They have this fear instinct and it's enhanced when they don't know what's going to happen to them. If your child is anything like mine, they get really fidgety when a blood pressure cuff or thermometer comes their way. Let your child know that we use certain equipment to help.
Making sure that your child is comfortable is the key. Here at the office our goal is to make sure that your child is healthy and we want them to stay that way. We want your child to know that everything we do is with the intention to help not harm.
Meandria is a Medical Assistant for Salud Pediatrics. She has been with the practice for 4-years now.
Friday, April 22, 2011 at 10:51AM 
