Barns upplevelse av dagkirurgi
Från ovisshet till lättnad med nyvunnen erfarenhet
Background: An increasing number of operations on children are performed as day surgery and this experience of health care may affect future hospital stays. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe children´s experiences in connection with day surgery. Method: Ten children aged six to fifteen who had gone through general anesthesia at examinations or surgery were interviewed and the content was analyzed by systematic text condensation. Result: The core category ?From uncertainty to relief with newly acquired experience? could summarize the result of this interview study. In the category ?Uncertainty creates insecurity? all children expressed varying levels of anxiety for the anesthesia. The main causes for the worry were insufficient information or lacking experience from similar health care situation. "The concrete experience different from the qualm? describes that the discomfort the children expressed were different or slighter than expected. The anesthetization was easy and quick while the awakening was described as more unpleasant. In the category ?Good nursing care creates security and trust? the children appreciated the staff and their way of informing and giving care. Many expressed an ease that the procedure had passed and would experience less anxiety before a possible future anesthesia; ?Relieved and strengthened through experience?. Conclusion: The interviewed children had surprisingly little knowledge in advance of what would happen during the day and not to mention the procedure of anesthesia. Unpleasant experiences were described even during moments where it was not expected. To reduce the anxiety and discomfort the information in connection with day surgery needs to be substantially improved in this age group.