28 August 2009

Distraction therapy eases pain in sick kids

In the wake of studies showing that children are easier to treat and require less pain relief when distracted, Sutherland Hospital has expanded the role of distraction therapy in its Child and Adolescent Unit.

Local artist Annette Barlow has created three child-friendly murals on the walls of the Child and Adolescent Unit, and according to Director of Nursing Bronwyn Carruthers, it is already having an impact.

The murals depict a variety of scenes from the Sutherland Shire including an impression of South Cronulla Park, South Cronulla Beach and Gunnamatta Bay.

“Distraction therapy, such as the murals, is a way of helping children cope with being sick and being in pain,” Ms Carruthers said.

“It aims to take their mind off their discomfort by concentrating on something else,” she said.

“Having a more child-friendly environment with the ability to distract children complements traditional methods of managing procedural pain.

“We find when a child is in discomfort their fear and anxiety is now often reduced because the murals have been so effective in distracting their attention.

“The whole effect is to cheer up patients, visitors, staff and even service people who pass through the ward,” Ms Carruthers said.

Funding for one of the murals was kindly provided by the Krouskos family from Yowie Bay, who were the parents of a recurrent patient of the Child and Adolescent Unit.

“Hospitalisation can be a very traumatic experience for children.

“Our aim is to try and make the hospital experience for a child and their family as least traumatic as possible,” Ms Carruthers said.


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