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BackgroundAs a result of cost-containment efforts, preparation programs for outpatient surgery are currently not available to the majority of children and parents. The recent dramatic growth in the Internet presents a unique opportunity to transform how children and their parents are prepared for surgery. In this article, we describe the development of a Web-based Tailored Intervention for Preparation of parents and children undergoing Surgery (WebTIPS).Development of programA multidisciplinary taskforce agreed that a Web-based tailored intervention consisting of intake, matrix, and output modules was the preferred approach. Next, the content of the various intake variables, the matrix logic, and the output content was developed. The output product has a parent component and a child component and is described in http://surgerywebtips.com/about.php. The child component makes use of preparation strategies such as information provision, modeling, play, and coping skills training. The parent component of WebTIPS includes strategies such as information provision, coping skills training, and relaxation and distraction techniques. A reputable animation and Web design company developed a secured Web-based product based on the above description.ConclusionsIn this article, we describe the development of a Web-based tailored preoperative preparation program that can be accessed by children and parents multiple times before and after surgery. A follow-up article in this issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia describes formative evaluation and preliminary efficacy testing of this Web-based tailored preoperative preparation program.

Background: Spinal fusion is a common orthopedic surgery in children and adolescents and is associated with high pain levels postoperatively. If the pain is not well managed, negative outcomes may ensue. To our knowledge, there is no measure in English that assesses patient's satisfaction with postoperative pain management following idiopathic scoliosis surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the satisfaction subscale of the English version of the Satisfaction of Adolescents with Postoperative pain management - idiopathic Scoliosis (SAP-S) scale. Methods: Eighty-two participants aged 10-18 years, who had undergone spinal fusion surgery, fully completed the SAP-S scale at 10-14 days postdischarge. Construct validity was assessed through a principal component analysis using varimax rotation. Results: Principal component analysis indicated a three-factor structure of the 13-item satisfaction subscale of the SAP-S scale. Factors referred to satisfaction regarding current medication received (Factor 1), actions taken by nurses and doctors to manage pain (Factor 2) and information received after surgery (Factor 3). Cronbach's alpha was 0.91, showing very good internal consistency. Data on satisfaction and clinical outcomes were also reported. Conclusion: The SAP-S is a valid and reliable measure of satisfaction with postoperative pain management that can be used in both research and clinical settings to improve pain management practices. Although it was developed and validated with adolescents who had undergone spinal fusion surgery, it can be used, with further validation, to assess adolescents' satisfaction with pain management in other postoperative contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To provide a concise and practical guide to the development, modification, and use of behavioral coding schemes for observational data in pediatric psychology.Methods: This article provides a review of relevant literature and experience in developing and refining behavioral coding schemes.Results: A step-by-step guide to developing and/or modifying behavioral coding schemes is provided. Major steps include refining a research question, developing or refining the coding manual, piloting and refining the coding manual, and implementing the coding scheme. Major tasks within each step are discussed, and pediatric psychology examples are provided throughout.Conclusions: Behavioral coding can be a complex and time-intensive process, but the approach is invaluable in allowing researchers to address clinically relevant research questions in ways that would not otherwise be possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many children experience significant distress before and after surgery. Previous studies indicate that healthcare providers' and parents' behaviors may influence children's outcomes. This study examines the influence of adults' behaviors on children's distress and coping in the postanesthesia care unit.Methods: Children aged 2-10 yr were videotaped during their postanesthesia care unit stay (n = 146). Adult and child behaviors were coded from video, including the onset, duration, and order of behaviors. Correlations were used to examine relations between behaviors, and time-window sequential statistical analyses were used to examine whether adult behaviors cued or followed children's distress and coping.Results: Sequential analysis demonstrated that children were significantly less likely to become distressed after an adult used empathy, distraction, or coping/assurance talk than they were at any other time. Conversely, if a child was already distressed, children were significantly more likely to remain distressed if an adult used reassurance or empathy than they were at any other time. Children were more likely to display coping behavior (e.g., distraction, nonprocedural talk) after an adult used this behavior.Conclusions: Adults can influence children's distress and coping in the postanesthesia care unit. Empathy, distraction, and assurance talk may be helpful in keeping a child from becoming distressed, and nonprocedural talk and distraction may cue children to cope. Reassurance should be avoided when a child is already distressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to conduct a prospective assessment of preoperative anxiety in adolescents undergoing surgery., Aim:   To systematically conduct a multimodal evaluation of preoperative anxiety in adolescents undergoing surgery., Background: The existing literature on preoperative anxiety in children has overwhelmingly ignored adolescents in the surgical setting, yet adolescents may be at risk for undertreatment of preoperative anxiety., Methods: A total of 59 adolescents aged 11-18 were recruited. Behavioral and physiological manifestations of anxiety were assessed with a visual analog scale and an ambulatory physiological data recorder that collected heart rate (HR), skin conductance level (SCL), and blood pressure data. Baseline emotional and behavioral functioning (child behavior checklist [CBCL]) as well as temperament (early adolescent temperament questionnaire-revised--parent version) and other potential risk factors were also assessed., Results: Over 80% of adolescents reported significant anxiety at the time of induction. Self-reported anxiety increased significantly at each time point (holding, separation from parents, and mask introduction), P=0.001. Significant increases in both HR (P=0.02) and SCL (P<0.001) were found from holding to mask introduction. Several risk factors were found to predict higher anxiety at mask introduction, including baseline anxiety and depression (CBCL, Internalizing, P=0.04), somatizing problems (P=0.05), and fearful temperament (P=0.03)., Conclusions: A large proportion of adolescents experience significant anxiety that increases from the preoperative holding area to anesthesia induction. Underlying baseline anxiety and depression as well somatization and fearful temperament are predictors of this phenomenon., (© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)