Preparing children for day surgery.

This study measured the effect of a group preoperative teaching program on the level of children's emotional distress during day surgery. The sample consisted of 30 children, ages 3 through 10, scheduled for elective surgery. One group attended a structured program and received procedural and sensory information within 2 weeks of their surgery. The other group did not receive this intervention. A t test identified significant differences between the groups. Children who attended the preoperative teaching program demonstrated less emotional distress than children who did not receive this intervention. These findings reinforce the positive outcomes of preoperative teaching programs that provide procedural and sensory information to children as preparation for day surgery.