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The ‘Jedward’ versus the ‘Mohawk’: a prospective study on a paediatric distraction technique
  1. Eoin Fogarty,
  2. Eilis Dunning,
  3. Stanley Koe,
  4. Turlough Bolger,
  5. Ciara Martin
  1. Paediatric Emergency Department, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
  1. Correspondence to Dr Eoin Fogarty, Paediatric Emergency Department, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, Ireland; eoinmfogarty{at}yahoo.com

Abstract

Objective To examine the use of a standard hospital glove, inflated as a balloon with a face drawn on it, as a distraction technique in children with an acute injury.

Methods We designed a study to assess the ‘best’ way to orientate the glove when drawing a face on it. A prospective study was performed in the authors’ institution, where all children between the ages of 2 and 8 years presenting during the study period were given the option of playing with one of two glove balloons with a face drawn on it in two different ways.

Results 149 paediatric patients were assessed, of whom 136 picked a glove, 75 picked the ‘Jedward’ version and 61 the ‘Mohawk’ version.

Conclusions A standard hospital glove, inflated as a balloon with a face drawn on it, is a useful distraction for children with an acute injury. The face drawn should be drawn ‘Jedward’ style.

  • paediatrics
  • psychology, patient support

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