Video Games as a Distraction Technique for Preoperative Patient

Abstract

This paper aims at discussing the concept of preoperative anxiety amongst the young patients, precisely between the age group of 5 through 18. The research seeks to identify the significance of video games and their effectiveness as interventions for countering this distress and tension as opposed to the traditional measures.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Background1

Traditional Pharmacological Interventions2

Conclusion4

References6

Video Games as a Distraction Technique for Preoperative Patient

Introduction

Preoperational anxiety is one of the worldwide experiences faced by individuals who are placed in a hospital waiting for a surgery or a medical operation (O-Connor, 2000). Just the thought of going through a surgical operation can lead to severe degrees of anxiety and depression amongst the patients. The state of Preoperational anxiety can be best described as a mental state where the patient experiences serious uneasiness or tension resulting from his fears and reservations about the procedure before the actual surgery has taken place. Hospitals and medical executives use a number of interventions to reduce this anxiety from amongst their patients (Feld, 1990). These range from a number of medical interventions that include anti-depressants and pre-surgery counseling to psychological therapies that involve using music as a tool for distraction, as well as, developing personal relationships with the patient.

This paper aims at discussing the utility of video games as an effective intervention for providing distracting amongst young patients in a pre-surgery setup as opposed to the use of traditional practices that most involve pharmacological interventions for fighting this distress off. The research provides a brief background of the symptom, as well as, the most commonly used intervention techniques and draws a comparison with the use of video games for the purpose.

Discussion

Background

It has been observed that pediatric patients of younger age experience a substantial amount of anxiety and uneasiness before the surgery. This preoperative anxiety can be caused by a various different factors (Feld, 1990). The level of this anxiety is identified by a number of forces that a young individual may experience before the surgical operation, such as prior experiences at hospital, psychological and socio-demographic elements including age, gender and education.

It is important to understand that it is actually the fears within the young patients that drive this state of anxiety and tension (Kain, 2006). These fears may relate to the perception of the unknown, possible failure of the surgery, hurt and pain, death and lack of recovery chances.

Traditional Pharmacological Interventions

Medical practitioners and experts have devised and used a number of pharmacological measures and interventions for countering this anxiety among the young pediatric patients. The most popular of these interventions include teaching sessions and tours, prior to the operation that aim to acquaint the young with the procedures and systems and reduce their fears and doubts (O-Connor, 2000). A doctor may alternatively seek to use relaxation therapies, including acupuncture and acupressure to ease the patient's depression. Similarly, the nurses can also play an effective role in this regard by developing interpersonal relationships with the young patients, based on mutual ...