Issues surrounding preparation, information and handling the child and parent in nuclear medicine.

A successful pediatric nuclear medicine examination can be defined as a high-quality study coupled with the child and parent feeling that their emotional needs have been considered. To achieve this goal requires a team approach by all members of the nuclear medicine department as well as a comprehensive explanation of the procedure to the child and parent. Success often depends not so much on a department with the latest gamma camera but a department with an understanding of the needs of children and value of small items such as toys, posters, appropriate books and so on. The recognition that a child requires twice as long as an adult for the same examination dictates an appropriate appointment system to ensure that the staff have sufficient time to devote to the child and parent.