Children's Anxiety in the Perioperative Environment: A Qualitative Exploration With Children, Parents and Staff at a Tertiary Paediatric Hospital

Perioperative anxiety is a common and distressing aspect of anaesthesia for many children, resulting in management challenges at the time of anaesthesia and potential physical and psychological adverse outcomes. We conducted this qualitative phenomenological study to explore the perspectives of children, parents and staff on perioperative anxiety in our institution. Planned recruitment was 20 each of children who had undergone elective anaesthesia, their parents and staff.

Citation:
Drake-Brockman TFE, Dodd M, Cooney S, Stepanovic B, Sommerfield D, Locke V, Sommerfield A, von Ungern-Sternberg BS. Children's Anxiety in the Perioperative Environment: A Qualitative Exploration With Children, Parents and Staff at a Tertiary Paediatric Hospital. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. 2025;69(10).

Keywords:
Anesthesia; psychology; anxiety; child; pediatric; perioperative care

Abstract:
Perioperative anxiety is a common and distressing aspect of anaesthesia for many children, resulting in management challenges at the time of anaesthesia and potential physical and psychological adverse outcomes. We conducted this qualitative phenomenological study to explore the perspectives of children, parents and staff on perioperative anxiety in our institution. Planned recruitment was 20 each of children who had undergone elective anaesthesia, their parents and staff.