Background
Undergoing surgery can be an anxious time for children and their families. The surgeon and the treating team can provide education to a caregiver both in verbal and in written handouts. It is important that this is tailored to their language and education level.
Aim
To share an example of a pre-operative education book that was custom designed for a surgical facility in rural Kenya.
Methods
A booklet was written based on what a child could expect on the day of surgery. Including the hospital staff, their operation, going to sleep, dressings and who would look after them. Illustrations complemented the words that were translated into the local language Swahili. A final page communicated post op follow up appointment date and time for when they left the hospital.
Result
This book was read in Swahili with children prior to their operation. A knitted teddy was given to them with a bandage they applied to the part of the body that was being operated on. This gave the parents an opportunity to ask questions and reassure their child they were going to be okay and they would see them after their operation. A digital copy of the book will be displayed on the poster in English.
Conclusion
This education booklet has been a used for over a decade in rural Kenya to prepare children for corrective surgery. An invaluable resource that could be replicated in other paediatric surgery settings.