Children's perceptions of hospital: a preliminary study.

Three groups of children (5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 years) were interviewed about their knowledge and attitudes towards hospitals. Children were asked what they thought happened in hospitals, why people were admitted and how they became better. They were also asked the worst and best things about being in hospital. The responses of the 5-6 year old group were very inadequate, but children's perceptions of hospital varied as a function of age. The results have implications both for preparing children prior to hospitalization and dealing with emergency admissions.