Healthcare Professionals’ Use of Guided Imagery in Combination with Relaxation in Child Health Care: A Pilot Web-Based Survey

Background: The implementation of effective non-pharmacological painreducing treatment in child healthcare is considered desirable and an important part of nursing care. The distraction technique Guided Imagery (GI) is easy to use and suitable for children. Training in the technique is required but little is known about factors influencing the further use of the technique in child healthcare. Objective: The aim of the study was to test an instrument designed to investigate factors influencing the use of GI after receiving training in the technique. Design: The study was a pilot cross-sectional design. Setting: The study sample consisted of Swedish healthcare professionals trained in GI. Participants: Seventy-four healthcare professionals answered the questionnaire. Methods: A web-based questionnaire analysed factors influencing the frequency of the use of GI. Results: The results showed three subscales: other's positive attitudes, own perceived competence and others' negative attitudes. The analysis showed positive correlation between one of these subscales and how often the participants used GI, suggesting that own perceived competence influences healthcare professionals' use of GI. Conclusions and Implications: Although the survey had limited coverage and ought to be repeated, the findings as well as earlier research suggest that both managers and educators need to be aware that own perceived competence in GI can influence the extent of implementation in practice.