The usage of audiovisual aids at taking a blood sample from child

This bachelor's thesis focuses on the possibilities of using audiovisual aids during venous blood sampling in children. The issue of pain management should be studied because it is very important to prevent or at least minimize pain. Pain caused during medical procedures can be traumatizing for a child and can also affect their attitude towards further treatment. The thesis is divided into theoretical and practical parts. The theoretical part describes the different developmental periods of a child, the character and approaches to venous blood sampling, education, fear, pain, pain management techniques, and pain assessment scales. The practical part contains the results obtained from the research study. The main objective of this thesis was to determine whether the use of audiovisual aids can reduce pain during venous blood sampling in children. The study used the method of participant observation, and the results were recorded using a structured recording form. Data collection took place at the pediatric department of a hospital in South Bohemia. A total of 30 respondents were observed and divided into 2 groups, with each group containing 15 respondents. In the first group, venous blood sampling was performed in the usual way, while in the second group, an audiovisual aid, a tablet with pre-selected fairy tales, was used during the procedure. The selection of fairy tales was based on the age of the respondents. Based on the results, it was found that the audiovisual aid is not fully helpful in reducing pain during venous blood sampling in children. It can be used as a distraction tool before venous blood sampling, as it can entertain the child while waiting for the procedure. However, during the actual blood draw and pain, the child did not show much interest in the aid. It is also important to note that the observed interest in this potential aid was only apparent in children aged four and older