July 2004

Boxes are a distraction attraction

A program to distract sick kids from the pain and fear of serious medical procedures has been implemented in State hospital paediatric emergency wards.

The Distraction Box program was developed by Royal Children’s Hospital Educational Play Therapist Leanne Hallowell and provided by children’s charity TLC for kids after an appeal to listeners to radio 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

Premier Steve Bracks presented the first Distraction Box to Royal Children’s Executive Director Dr Tony Cull in April.

The boxes contain about 14 items, including bubble blowing bottles, Viewmasters, Magna Doodles, sound books, Where’s Wally-type books, rattles, squishy balls and glitter wands.

They also contain training material for the most appropriate use of distraction for specific medical procedures.

‘The idea is simple but so very effective,’ Ms Hallowell said.

‘Research has shown children who experience appropriate distractions while undergoing medical procedures respond more positively to their treatment and, in many instances, the level of pain relievers can be reduced.

‘And reducing a child’s anxiety while undergoing a medical procedure will also reduce the anxiety of parents and hospital staff and result in a smoother procedure for all concerned.

‘Similar programs have been running successfully in the USA and UK for a number of years.

‘We chose the best of both programs and adapted them for the Australian medical environment,’ Ms Hallowell said.

More than 250 Distraction Boxes have been distributed to paediatric emergency wards in hospitals in metropolitan and regional hospitals, including 40 to the Royal Children’s.

More than 80,000 young children undergoing medical procedures are expected to use the Distraction Boxes throughout Victoria during 12 months.

• For more information about TLC for kids or the Distraction Box program, call 9372 6511, email info@tlcforkids.org.au or visit www.tlcforkids.org.au.