What to Do if Your Pediatric Patient Does Not Cooperate Treating pediatric patients can sometimes be a challenge, as you never quite know what to expect from the child since children are quite unpredictable and impulsive. Moreover, their parents may also become too involved or become a challenge themselves. Understanding that children are typically scared or worried being in a strange place like a doctor's office or in a hospital is a key factor in treating pediatric patients properly, especially if they do not cooperate. Very often they may demonstrate just how unhappy they are by being uncooperative with all medical staff and perhaps their parents as well. Dealing with Parents The more cooperation you obtain from the parents, the better off you will be getting the child to cooperate. Children, regardless of age, can pick up on their parent’s moods and frustrations. If a child senses that his or her parents are upset or scared, the child's own fear and anxiety can set in, resulting in a patient who is unable to cooperative by any means due to distraction and anxiety. Depending on the circumstances, the parents may be anxiously awaiting test results, or a visit from their child's physician, so be sure to keep them updated as much as possible. Take time to talk to them, explain things, and ask if they have any questions or concerns they would like to discuss with you. It may be that you have to refer them to their physician, but you can at least let them know their worries are being addressed. Ask the parents for suggestions on what might help calm the child down, like maybe a favorite toy or song, in order to provide the child comfort. Related: 5 Helpful Tips to Improve Communication with Your Coworkers Move at a Slow Pace When the patient is a child, you can assume when you enter the room that they are going to be afraid. Typically, when children see medical professionals, such as nurses, their minds wander off into thoughts of needles, shots, and painful scenarios. It's much easier to deal with a child if they are cooperative, so you will want to do what you can in order to get that cooperation. Don’t rush toward them, especially if you have a hand full of medical supplies. Move at a slow pace, offer a friendly touch, and try to gain their confidence as much as possible. Utilize Resources Many hospitals have pediatric facilities and social workers that work specifically with children. If these options are available, rely on those resources because anything you can do to de-escalate the fears and worries of both the child and parents will help things run smoothly. If your medical facility has pediatric facilities, perhaps you can win the child over with a teddy bear, or other a different toy. Children need something to comfort them when they are facing unfamiliar situations.
What to Do if Your Pediatric Patient Does Not Cooperate
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