Empowering partnership and surgery preparation for families with SickKids’ Coming for Surgery Workbook

Preparing a child for surgery can be overwhelming for any family. The Coming for Surgery Workbook was developed to make this journey easier, offering a centralized space, along with a Video and a Learning Hub designed by AboutKidsHealth, to guide families and support patients step-by-step when preparing for surgery.

Launched with the Workbook and Video in July 2024, the Learning Hub brings together practical articles —covering everything from what to pack to what to expect after surgery. While the Workbook highlights tips and checklists, the video features other children preparing for surgery – providing confidence to families when consulting articles in the Hub. These resources were designed in collaboration with the AboutKidsHealth team and interprofessional teams across SickKids, with the goal of addressing the real questions and concerns families face.

These tools were designed with patients and families in mind, with teams building the Workbook and Learning Hub simultaneously to become a shared resource at not only SickKids, but with other hospitals, as well.

The Learning Hub and its companion materials help children feel safe and brave, and empower caregivers to navigate this important moment with clarity and support. This collaborative approach means the impact of these resources extends well beyond SickKids—helping to build stronger, more prepared communities for every child facing surgery.