Effectiveness Study "HospiAvontuur":

Preoperative anxiety is frequently experienced by children undergoing anaesthesia and surgery and being separated from parents during the operation. It is associated with a significant number of adverse outcomes such as maladaptive behavioural changes and increased postoperative analgesic requirements. Pharmacological interventions such as midazolam are widely used to decrease preoperative anxiety in children. However, premedication may be associated with undesirable effects such as paradoxical reactions, prolonged sedation and adverse behavioural changes.The aim of this study is to develop and use a serious game, HospiAvontuur, which can be used during the preparation of children for an admission at the hospital. By using this game the researchers aim to reduce the usage of pharmacological interventions and to increase the use of non-pharmacological interventions, such as HospiAvontuur.