Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf, a pediatrician and palliative care leader at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, discusses the pervasive fear of needles in adults, often rooted in painful childhood experiences. He highlights a groundbreaking five-step plan designed to make injections less painful for children, utilizing numbing creams and effective distraction techniques. The conversation emphasizes the importance of transforming medical environments to cultivate positive experiences that can lead to healthier attitudes toward healthcare in adulthood.

Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf discusses eliminating pain during shots for kids by using numbing cream and creating a positive experience, aiming to prevent needle phobia in adulthood. The podcast explores strategies like managing expectations and comfort positioning to reduce distress during medical procedures.

Tom Dreisbach, a guest host from NPR, chats with Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf, a pediatric expert in pain management at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. They delve into the ever-present fear of needles, often rooted in childhood experiences. Discover a groundbreaking five-step plan to minimize pain during injections, including the use of topical numbing cream and engaging distractions. The duo discusses innovative strategies like celebratory practices and age-specific techniques designed to transform children's medical experiences and alleviate their anxiety.