Development of Assessment Algorithm to Assess Coping Skills of Children Undergoing Blood Sampling

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an assessment algorithm to assess the coping skills of 3-6-year-old children undergoing blood sampling. Methods: Literature was examined using the manual to develop clinical practice guidelines, which was provided by the Medical Information Network Distribution Service (MINDS). Items were extracted to assist in the development of the assessment algorithm. Two pediatric nursing researchers, seven pediatric nurses in the hospitals, and two pediatricians cooperated to develop the algorithm, increasing the content validity of the algorithm. Results and discussion: Twenty four studies were found regarding factors related to children's coping behavior during blood sampling. Items needed to algorithm were the "age of child," "children's coping behavior that parents predicted" and "experience of blood sampling." The assessment methods and categories of each item were discussed. The assessment algorithm started from the "experience of blood sampling." Inexperience children were divided into the lowest coping skills. Experience children were divided the coping skills into four stages by the "age of child" and "children's coping behavior that parents predicted." Future research must examine the reliability and validity of this algorithm.