Effect of short film video and video-based education on fear, pain, and satisfaction of children undergoing day surgery.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of introducing the operating room environment with different informative multimedia methods to pediatric patients aged 7-12 in the preoperative period in day surgery on fear, pain, and patient satisfaction in three different groups comparatively.

Design And Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted with the guidelines of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). The sample of children was allocated to the Short Film Group (n:30), Video Based Education Group (n:30) and Control Group (n:30). Fear, pain, and satisfaction were measured.

Results: The age distribution of the children in the study was 7.57 ± 1.25 years in the short film group, 7.27 ± 0.52 years in the video-based education group, and 7.57 ± 2.27 years in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic status, fear, and vital signs before the procedure. Fear, pain, and satisfaction levels of children in short film groups were lower than video-based education groups.

Conclusion: The result of this research reveals that preoperative short film education in children is more effective than video-based education in reducing fear, pain, and satisfaction levels. This intervention could be an effective method to improve outcomes. Nurses can increase children's comfort by using educational programs that attract children's attention.

Practice Implications: Healthcare team members working in pediatric surgical units can use the short film method, which is effective, easy, and applicable in the field, to reduce pain and fear in the preoperative period and increase satisfaction in children undergoing day surgery.