DefinePK

Research Objective

To evaluate health care professionals' knowledge, preference and experience about various universally applied behavior modification techniques for managing anxiety in pediatric patients.

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to 100 Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in Rawalpindi, including general practitioners, consultants, and post-graduate residents involved in the clinical care of pediatric patients. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic details, knowledge about behavior modification techniques (BMTs), preference in usage, and factors affecting selection. Data was analyzed using frequency distributions, cross-tabulations, and the Chi-square test.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Ethical Approval"] --> B["Distribute Online Questionnaire to 100 HCPs"];
    B --> C["Collect Responses"];
    C --> D["Data Analysis: Frequency, Cross-tabulation, Chi-square"];
    D --> E["Report Findings"];                    

Discussion

Anxiety in pediatric patients is a significant challenge in healthcare, impacting treatment adherence and patient outcomes. Non-pharmacological behavior modification techniques are crucial for managing this anxiety. The study highlights that while awareness of these techniques is high among HCPs, actual usage varies. Tell-Show-Do and positive reinforcement are favored, often used in combination. Factors influencing technique selection are primarily child-related, with past experiences and social background playing a significant role. Younger practitioners and those in postgraduate training demonstrate greater familiarity and application of these techniques, suggesting potential improvements in current training curricula.

Key Findings

- 84.61% of HCPs were aware of universally accepted behavior modification techniques.
- 62.3% of respondents reported using universally accepted behavior modification techniques.
- Tell-Show-Do was the most opted technique (94.87%).
- A combination of different behavior modification techniques was the preferred method for most respondents.
- 42% of practitioners noted non-compliance to simple non-invasive procedures, while 58% noted non-compliance to invasive procedures.
- Child's past dental/medical experience (97.43%) and child's social background (92.30%) were the most influential factors in selecting a BMT.
- Younger HCPs and post-graduate trainees showed higher awareness and usage of BMTs.

Conclusion

The majority of health care professionals possess good knowledge of non-pharmacological behavior modification techniques. Tell-Show-Do and positive reinforcement are the most frequently adopted techniques, with a preference for combining various non-pharmacological methods for managing anxiety in pediatric patients.

Fact Check

- 84.61% of healthcare professionals were aware of universally accepted behavior modification techniques. (Confirmed in Results)
- Tell-Show-Do was opted by 94.87% of respondents. (Confirmed in Results)
- The study was conducted in April 2020. (Confirmed in Methodology)

Mind Map