Below are some useful websites to support children, families and professionals with healthcare procedures.
Websites/Products for Children & Parents
KIDS
Our Pixie Friends:
Created by 14-year-old Siobhan Wilson, Our Pixie Friends aims to help children, especially those with medical needs, not feel alone during medical procedures and feel happy with who they are.
https://www.ourpixiefriends.com/sprizzletania/hospital/
Meg Foundation:
The Meg Foundation created the SuperMeg chatbot to support children through painful procedures. The site has resources categorized by age, pain type and language. The SuperMeg Poke Plan is a personalized pre-vaccination support plan with a range of options and choices for procedures.
SuperMeg Poke Planner.
https://supermeg.comfortquest.io/
There is also a range of YouTube videos to help with things like Pain.
https://www.megfoundationforpain.org/resources/?_type_of_pain=procedural-pain
Health Nuts Media:
These are a range of superhero videos for procedural support.
https://healthnutsmedia.com/hnm-library/
Effective Peri-Procedural Communication (EPIC):
This website has a range of procedural preparation activities (a game plan) for children to make choices for their procedure (like the SuperMeg Poke Plan above). This would be more appropriate for older children. There is also a range of videos and books that explain procedures and fear responses.
https://epickids.org.au/children-young-adults/
Jilly’s Big Sleep (ebook).
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/frankies-clubhouse/frankie-books/jillys-big-sleep
CALM Care:
This is a resource from Children’s Health Queensland and provides information on CALM (Comfort, Analgesia, Language, Mindfulness/Memory). It also provides a calm plan for children to fill out before procedures.
Frankie’s Clubhouse:
A PDF for caregivers to prepare for medical procedures.
Frankie’s Procedures Toolkit:
This PDF is a printable page with a range of procedural support options. Frankie is a cute puppy in each picture (e.g. having a cuddle).
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/frankies-clubhouse
Medi Ready Kids:
Practical tips, resources, and strategies to help you prepare, support, and advocate for kids in healthcare.
https://www.medireadykids.com.au/parents
Comfort Kids:
This is a range of resources from the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne that provides information about procedural support.
https://www.rch.org.au/comfortkids/for_kids/
Be Positive (B+) TV:
This is the Royal Children’s Hospital TV show that helps children understand more about the hospital experience.
https://www.rch.org.au/be-positive/
https://www.rch.org.au/be-positive/A_childs_guide_to_hospital/Immunisation_Clinic/
KidzMed e-Learning for Healthcare:
An e-Learning resource for healthcare professionals teaching children how to swallow pills.
https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/kidzmed/
Unopolis:
An online community to connect youth aged 13-23 navigating medical conditions and significant life events (Canada only).
https://www.kidshealthlinks.org/upopolis
A video about having an operation, including an operating room tour.
https://kidshealthlinks.wistia.com/medias/7zj27sy54r
PARENTS
ONE VOICE Approach:
An approach to improve communication and assign roles through pre-planning.
https://onevoice4kids.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoomoYWxjpfICYyS8psa7JGaawBcPFDrBzYyVi0mZvo78pPbK4Yl
One voice should be heard during the procedure
Need parental involvement
Educate the patient before the procedure
Validate the child with your words
Offer comfort position and pain management
Individualize your game plan
Choose an appropriate distraction
Eliminate unnecessary people who are not actively involved
Frankie’s Clubhouse:
PDF for caregivers to prepare for medical procedures.
Standish Foundation for Children:
Resources for Parents and Healthcare Professionals.
https://standishfoundation.org/resources/
Emotional Safety Framework:
The Emotional Safety Initiative is a movement to prioritize emotional and physical safety in all pediatric medical experiences.
Child Life on Call:
Parent Stories (medical) podcast:
https://childlifeoncall.com/podcast/
Comfort position guide:
https://childlifeoncall.com/comfort-positioning-guide/
TECHNIQUES AND PRODUCTS TO HELP WITH NEEDLE PROCEDURES
The Magic Glove:
Using imagination and self-hypnosis to help kids with pain.
https://www.megfoundationforpain.org/the-magic-glove-hypnotic-pain-management-for-children/
Buzzy:
Buzzy is a device that helps with needle fear and pain. It provides vibration to block pain sensations.
https://www.buzzy4shots.com.au/pages/how-does-buzzy-work
NeedleCalm™ :
NeedleCalm™ is an innovative desensitising adhesive pad that reduces pain & anxiety during needle procedures.
Australian owned & made, the NeedleCalm™ medical device helps patients & healthcare providers manage injection discomfort effectively.
NDIS: NeedleCalm ™ may be able to be reimbursed through NDIS support plans, typically claimed under Consumables or Core Supports – Daily Living, depending on the participant’s plan.
https://needlecalm.com.au/resources/ndis-funding/
3D PRINTED MEDICAL TOYS
Theraprinted:
3D printing, crafting and Canva design to create therapeutic tools and resources that support children and adults through medical experiences.
https://theraprinted.squarespace.com/
The Butterfly Pig - Medical Simulation Models:
These mini replicas of medical equipment help children understand procedures through play.
Medi Pals:
3D-printed medical model kids to empower children.
Websites and Products for Professionals
WEBSITES
Healing Hearts Beyond:
Blog and help sheets.
https://www.healingheartsbeyond.com.au/blog
Shop books and resources.
https://www.healingheartsbeyond.com.au/category/all-products
Medi Ready Kids:
Practical tips, resources, and strategies to help you prepare, support, and advocate for kids in healthcare.
https://www.medireadykids.com.au/health-professionals
Positive Outcome Experience Management Strategies (POEMS) – ebook:
This ebook was created for health professionals to understand children experiencing anxiety in health care settings. It’s free to access and has some great tips.
Standish Foundation for Children:
Resources for Parents and Healthcare Professionals.
https://standishfoundation.org/resources/