Informative nursery rhymes: a pilot study of children's satisfaction

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess, by means of a questionnaire, the level of children's satisfaction relating to three informative charts, including a nursery rhyme, administered to the patient before a medical procedure. METHODS: We created three types of specific informative charts on three medical topics with the double function of informing the child before the medical procedure, and of distracting him/her by means of a nursery rhyme read aloud by the authors. To assess the level of children's satisfaction, we administered the patients a questionnaire. RESULTS: According to children's feedback, the charts were funny and useful. CONCLUSIONS: The charts conceived in this study seem to be an easily applicable and entertaining approach to provide information and distraction to children undergoing surgery.