Children, Voiding Cystourethrograms, and Family Perceptions

The purpose of this correlation replication study was to determine (1) whether a relationship exists between a family’s anticipation of their child’s distress during a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and the child’s level of distress during a VCUG, and (2) the level of family satisfaction with the information provided to them in preparation for the VCUG. A convenience sample of 44 families of children younger than 9 years undergoing a VCUG at the study site completed a Visual Analog Scale pre- and post-test questionnaire assessing the family’s perceptions of pain, fear, and distress. Families anticipated that their children would experience more fear, distress, and pain than they perceived. The level of family satisfaction regarding the information provided before the VUCG improved after their child’s VCUG. The families do not find the VCUG procedure as distressing as they had anticipated and the families’ anxiety at the time of the procedure greatly influenced their perceptions of pain, fear, and distress perceived in their child. Families were satisfied with the information regarding the VCUG procedure.