Kathryn Birnie – The Conversation

Discussing and practising all the steps of a medical procedure with children can help them overcome fear. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

December 2, 2021

If your child is afraid of — or refusing — a medical procedure, here’s how to help

Meghan McMurtry, University of Guelph and Kathryn Birnie, University of Calgary

Children who avoid or refuse medical procedures like COVID-19 tests or vaccinations aren’t misbehaving — they need help to manage their fears. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your child cope.

One-year-old Quentin Brown is held by his mother, Heather Brown, as he eyes a swab while being tested for COVID-19 at a new walk-up testing site at Chief Sealth High School in Seattle on Aug. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

October 13, 2020

6 tips to prepare your child for easy COVID‑19 testing

Kathryn Birnie, University of Calgary and Meghan McMurtry, University of Guelph

Child health psychologists offer research-based strategies to prepare kids for pain-free and distress-free COVID-19 testing.

Strategies to ease pain and fear during injections are recommended by health organizations such as the Canadian Paediatric Society. (Heather Hazzan, SELF Magazine/flickr)

April 29, 2020

Fear of needles: 5 simple ways to ease vaccination pain for your child (and yourself)

Kathryn Birnie, University of Calgary

These strategies for easing needle pain and fear make vaccinations and other injections easier for parents and children. They are simple and helpful for all ages, from infants to adults.

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