Using 'magic' to calm pediatric patients during imaging exams

 

Imaging pediatric patients can be especially stressful for both the patient and the technologist. However, Joseph Swicklik, RT(R)(CT), a medical physics assistant in medical imaging technical services and former radiology technologist at Mayo Clinic, is enchanting the medical community with his innovative approach to calming pediatric patients during imaging exams. Swicklik, who presented a hands-on session at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2023 meeting, shared his expertise in using magic tricks to build trust and ease anxiety among young patients.

Drawing from his background as a children's entertainer and magician, Swicklik incorporated magic tricks into the medical setting, turning what is often a fearful experience into a positive memory for pediatric patients.

"Coming out of X-Ray school, there was no focus on interacting with patients. I wanted to find that magic element in communication that could make the experience much better for the patient," Swicklik explained. "I absolutely hated performing medical exams on pediatric patients. There's so much anxiety. By doing a little bit of magic or something different for a pediatric patient, you can turn that experience of what is otherwise known as fear, pain and anxiety in the medical setting, and leave them with a positive memory of their experience."

One of the tricks he demonstrated is using a simple magic coloring book, a tool commonly used by children's magicians. Swicklik approaches children with the coloring book, inviting them to draw pictures, and with a simple flip, the drawings appear magically. This not only empowers the child but also creates a non-threatening and positive interaction with the medical staff.

Swicklik also referred to the CT scanner as a "toy-making machine," and he used small lights to perform an illusion suggesting that the lights on the machine could be taken off and splattered with. He emphasized the importance of leaving pediatric patients with a positive memory, especially those who are repeat visitors due to congenital heart issues or cancer.

During his presentation at SCCT, Swicklik engaged the technologists with lively tricks like making Kleenex roses, encouraging them to bring a touch of magic into their own facilities. He highlighted the tissue rose as a powerful gesture, offering comfort and distraction during moments of waiting or emotional distress. He said tissue boxes can be found in every room in a hospital, so it is something easily accessible, and making a rose can help a patient through a difficult time.

"The rose is a great way of doing something for that patient that leaves 'em with that positive memory. Or if they've just heard bad news, or they're so afraid that they're going to hear bad news, they start to cry. They ask for a tissue, I give a tissue, and then I take another tissue. And without even saying a word, I just start rolling around my fingers, twisting it into a rose. And no words have to be said, but they see this happening. And when I hand that to them, just in words, can't explain how powerful that is for a patient, again, it brings it to a whole other level of care, better care," Swicklik said. 

Reducing pediatric sedation using magic tricks

Pediatric patients often have to be sedated for CT or MRI exams to prevent them from moving around due to anxiety. Swicklik said this technique of using magic to change the mood in the imaging suite might help reduce the need for sedation.

"By introducing the room in such a way that is fun and interesting, you're taking that scariness of the machine and turning it into something enjoyable. The likelihood of needing sedation can absolutely be reduced with proper patient management," he explained.

Swicklik's technique has been able to help overcome anxiety for repeat imaging of pediatric patients to a point where kids and parents have asked for him specifically to be their technologist.

"I've had people request me as a technologist to do magic tricks for kids because the kids want to see it again, I've never had a child before doing magic in the medical setting asking me to scan them again because I did just the normal scanning techniques. So by providing something a little bit different makes a world of a difference, especially in just the memory of that experience for the child," Swicklik added.
 

Dave Fornell is a digital editor with Cardiovascular Business and Radiology Business magazines. He has been covering healthcare for more than 16 years.

Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com

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