Many paediatric patients experience anxiety and distress when undergoing radiation therapy and, as a result, are often anaesthetised or sedated (A/S) so that they remain still. The practice of using A/S has implications for the child, the family and the health system. Building on the article by McCoola et al. (DOI 10.1002/jmrs.705), this editorial discusses approaches to improving paediatric patients' and their families' experiences of radiation therapy by reducing the need for A/S. Interventions need to be underpinned by theory and adopt robust research methods.
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy and New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology.