Test or trauma? The voiding cystourethrogram experience of young children.

Many diagnostic procedures, while necessary and appropriate, may be experienced by a child as a trauma. Health care professionals often perceive invasive procedures such as surgery and needle biopsies as more painful and threatening to the child than "test" such as voiding cystourethrograms (VCUGs). However, clinical experience indicates that the VCUG is often perceived by children as more highly distressing than other procedures. Success and a sense of competence (or shame and doubt) in mastering challenging life experiences, such as medical procedures, contribute to a child's evolving self-concept (Harter, 1983). These memories and successful behaviors can be applied to future similar situations. Health care professionals are challenged to help the child and the parents through the procedure with minimal distress in an effective and efficient manner. A series of vignettes illustrating parents' and children's experiences with a VCUG procedure highlight the impact of the VCUG on children's coping ability and adjustment. Recommendations for developmentally appropriate clinical practice standards of care related to the VCUG procedure in young children also are presented. Preparation as an ongoing partnership process among children, parents, and health care professionals.