Pediatric procedures: do parents want to watch?

Abstract

Invasive medical procedures, such as venipuncture or obtaining intravenous access, may be frightening and painful experiences for children and their parents. It is our experience that many pediatricians request that parents not be present during these procedures. A review of the medical literature revealed no information about parental preference with regards to these procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether parents prefer to be present when their children undergo venipuncture or intravenous placement. METHODS AND RESULTS The study was conducted during a 2-month period in the pediatric emergency department at Boston City Hospital. All parents, except those with a critically ill child who required immediate medical attention, were eligible for the study.