Managing procedural anxiety in children

When children need medical care, the situation can be stressful for both the parent and the child. Pain, fear, and unfamiliar surroundings can lead to a high level of anxiety, which may make accurate assessment and treatment challenging. When anxiety is alleviated, children are more likely to engage with clinicians and follow instructions, which makes it easier for the clinician to perform the procedure or physical examination and to obtain accurate and complete diagnostic information. This video describes and interprets the signs of acute anxiety in children and demonstrates approaches to interacting with children that minimize anxiety and maximize cooperation.