THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MEDICINES ON CHILDREN.

Introduction. Starting from "Primum non nocere", the patient's perception and observation, particularly through their inherent psychological effects, need to be taken into account by the doctor and pharmacist. The patient's perception on medication determines a need for finding a new methodological strategy concerning its impact on the child. Objectives. In this context, the doctor and the pharmacist need to be aware of the age particularities of children and also of the child patient's attitude towards medicine administration (which generally is not a positive one), in order to determine a new attitudinal-behavioral structure which would prevent or heal the health problem appeared at a certain point. Material and methods. We stress on the importance of psychotherapy, illustrated through the therapeutical and behavioral story of verbal expressions and its role in the educational therapy. Starting from admin­istrating medicines to the child, a therapeutic story as "The Syrup and the Little Pill" can be capable of generating an optimistic attitude, mainly a positive manner of thinking on health, by emphasizing the role of medicine in sustaining it. Conclusions: It is important to find a timely solution to each problem together, doctor/pharmacist and patient. The problem which occurred at a certain moment can be solved by amending the manner of perceiving and administrating medicine and by eliminating the difficulties and psychological traumas that may appear during childhood. This is the starting point of health education and its maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]