Reductmn of healthy children's fears related to hospitalization and medical procedures: The effectiveness of multimedia computer instruction in pediatric psychology

We compared the efficacy of multimedia computer hospitalization preparation instruction to a conventional slide show in reduction of children's medical fears. Changes in hospitalization knowledge and intervention satisfaction were also assessed. Eighty-four 3rd-grade children were randomly assigned to either the computer or slide show groups. Computer instruction was equally effective to that of conventional procedures in producing significant decreases in medical fears. Children in both conditions also demonstrated similar significant gains in hospitalization knowledge. Children reported significantly greater satisfaction with the computer program. Implications regarding the use of computer-based hospital preparation are discussed.