Facts and numbers
Table 1: Developmental attributes of preschool children(1)
| Consequence | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance of sensory perception | Justify the child’s need for surgery by precise symptoms | Explain positive effects by saying “After surgery you can run around” |
| Egocentric cognition | Use adequate methods to find out the child’s symptoms | Use pain scales adapted for children |
| Focussing on one aspect | Use a child‘s perspective to foresee frightening items in a hospital | Switch child‘s attention to positive items |
| Neglect of intention | Difficulty in coping with painful or uncomfortable treatment | Explain positive intention before treatment |
| Restricted time perspective | Substantiate time data | Explain the time in a different phases: “Only one more day in hospital once Grandma comes to visit” |
| No understanding of causality | Avoid giving irrational reasons when linking cause and effect | Delineate illness from poor behaviour |
Facts and numbers: Preparing for surgery
- About 75% of all children with congenital heart diseases need at least one heart surgery. (2)
- About 30% of all children with congenital heart diseases needed more than one heart operation. (3)
- On average, these children had nearly five hospital stays of about 80 days. (3).
- More than half of the children had a least clinical postoperative findings. (3)
References
(1) Based on the German health psychologist, Arnold Lohaus, who refers to the theory of Piaget
(2) Bundesverband Herzkranke Kinder (2007). Jahresbroschüre 2007/2008 (brochure to order via bvhk-aachen@t-online.de)
(3) Results from a sample of 78 children with congenital heart diseases aged between 4 and 14 years, who were participating in a sport programme, Sticker EJ. (2004). Sport macht stark – auch bei angeborenem Herzfehler. Ergebnisse einer interdisziplinären Follow-up Studie zur Entwicklungsoptimierung. Aachen: Shaker-Verlag.
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