The Preparation of Preschool Age Children for Hospitalization

Harrison, Lynne Rosalie

Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

The Preparation of Preschool Age Children for Hospitalization Public Deposited

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Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/1v53jx18g

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the information that doctors, nurses, and mothers considered useful to parents in the preparation of the preschool age child for hospitalization. The purposes of the study were to: (1) elicit from these persons the information considered by them important to parents in the preparation of the preschool age child for hospitalization, (2) to identify the areas of agreement and disagreement, and (3) to prepare an outline which could be used as the basis for the formulation of literature about the hospital for parents. The descriptive survey approach utilizing the personal interview technique was the method of data collection. Twenty-eight persons; thirteen physicians, six nurses, and nine mothers of hospitalized preschool age children composed the study group. The data revealed that physicians, nurses, and mothers agreed that in preparing the preschool age child for hospitalization, this information was helpful: the name and cause of the condition, the effect of the condition on the body, knowledge of treatments by the doctor, knowledge of visiting hours, and the length of hospitalization. There was disagreement in relation to knowledge of treatments by the nurse, the value of tours of the children's ward, and knowledge of general hospital procedures. An outline containing the suggestions by persons in the study group for hospital prepared literature was formulated. The general feeling of the study group was that the preschool age child could not benefit from preparation, although explanation with the occurrence of procedures was necessary. Further studies to determine the effects of preparation on the preschool age child were recommended.

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