Hospitalized Kids: Learning Through Adversity

Hospitals can be scary and stressful for children, and they often worry about being away from family, strangers, needles, pain, and losing control. Preparing children ahead of time for what they may experience in the hospital can help reduce their anxiety. Parents can play an important role in creating a positive hospital experience for their children by providing calm support and bringing familiar comfort items from home. Hospitals can also be confusing places for children, and they may have many questions about the different doctors and medical procedures. Child Life Specialists are trained to talk to kids and teens about these procedures and provide comfort and support.

Child life specialists

To become a child life specialist, a candidate needs extensive education and training. First, they must get a four-year undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor's degree in child life, psychology, or human development. Some child life specialists decide to further their education and get a master's degree in child development, education, psychology, child life, or a related field. These two-year programs provide specialized, in-depth education and may help in a competitive job market. The Association of Child Life Professionals certifies professionals in the industry, and most employers want certification within one year of starting a job.

Doctors-in-training

In paediatric hospitals, doctors-in-training have the opportunity to focus specifically on the healthcare needs of children and adolescents. They work under the supervision of attending physicians and play a vital role in patient care. This includes performing medical procedures, conducting physical examinations, and participating in the development and implementation of treatment plans.

To ensure a well-rounded approach to patient care, doctors-in-training also interact with various hospital departments and professionals. They may collaborate with child life specialists, who provide emotional support and organise playtime activities for young patients, helping to reduce stress and create a positive hospital experience. Additionally, they work closely with therapists who specialise in areas like respiratory therapy, providing breathing treatments and oxygen support for patients with respiratory issues.

The role of doctors-in-training extends beyond medical care. They also contribute to the educational aspects of a child's hospital stay. Paediatric hospitals often employ teachers who provide one-on-one or group instruction for hospitalized children, ensuring continuity in their education. Doctors-in-training may collaborate with these teachers and the hospital's medical staff to create a holistic approach to the child's overall development and well-being. This includes facilitating the child's transition back to their regular school environment upon discharge.

Furthermore, doctors-in-training are trained to communicate effectively with young patients and their families. They learn to provide simple explanations of medical procedures to alleviate fears and anxieties. This aspect of their training helps build trust and ensures that children and their parents understand their health conditions and the steps being taken to promote healing and recovery.

Preparing kids for hospital

Preparing kids for a hospital stay can be a stressful experience for both the child and the parent. However, there are many ways to help children cope with the experience and reduce their anxiety.

For Infants and Toddlers

Toddlers may experience stress when separating from their parents or when medical experiences cause changes to their normal sleep and feeding patterns. Doctor's offices and hospitals are often full of strange sights, sounds, smells, and unfamiliar people, which can cause infants and toddlers to cry and become upset. Here are some ways to help:

• Give lots of hugs and kisses.
• Bring familiar comfort items from home, such as blankets, stuffed animals, pacifiers, or soothing music.
• Create a schedule or routine for consistent caregivers.
• Provide playtime when possible.
• Take time to cuddle and rock your child.

For Preschoolers

Preschoolers often have common fears of doctor's offices and hospitals, including needles and pain, being away from family, and being around strangers. They may also view medical procedures and hospitalization as a punishment for being "bad". Here are some ways to help:

• Bring familiar comfort items from home.
• Give them real choices when possible, such as "Do you want to take your medicine with water or orange juice?".
• Provide simple explanations of medical procedures before they happen.
• Offer reassurances about their feelings and emotions.
• Provide time to play, especially with medical-related play items.
• Be patient with temper tantrums, bedwetting, thumb-sucking, and other common responses to stress.

For School-Age Children

School-age children may feel fearful of being alone, losing control, and experiencing pain or needles. Here are some ways to help:

• Reassure your child that they are in the hospital to help them heal or get better.
• Encourage your child to ask questions about the hospital care, procedures, and schedules.
• Allow your child to bring comfort items from home.
• Provide an outlet for play and expression of feelings, such as art or video games.
• Include them in medical conversations and treatments when appropriate.

General Tips

• It is important to prepare children ahead of time for what they may experience in the hospital. This will reduce their anxiety and help them cope and trust the people they meet.
• Child life specialists are trained to talk to kids and teens about medical procedures and other parts of the hospital stay. They can provide comfort and support to patients and organize playtime activities.
• Hospitals can be overwhelming, so it is helpful to bring familiar items from home and maintain a sense of routine when possible.
• Parents can provide calm support and play an important role in creating a positive hospital experience for their children.

Reducing kids' stress

A hospital can be a scary place for kids, and it is natural for them to feel stressed. Children can experience stress in different ways, depending on their age. Here are some tips to reduce kids' stress during a hospital stay:

For Infants and Toddlers

• Offer lots of hugs and kisses.
• Bring familiar items from home, such as their favourite toy or blanket.
• Create a schedule or routine for consistent caregivers.
• Use soothing music or other items to create a comfortable environment.
• Provide playtime when possible.
• Take time to cuddle and rock your child.

For Preschoolers

• Bring familiar comfort items from home.
• Give them real choices when possible, such as letting them decide whether to take their medicine with water or orange juice.
• Provide simple explanations of medical procedures before they happen to alleviate fears and feelings of uncertainty.
• Offer reassurances about their feelings and emotions and let them know that it is okay to be scared or to cry.
• Provide time to play, especially with medical-related toys to help them process their experiences.
• Be patient with temper tantrums, bedwetting, thumb-sucking, and other common responses to stress.

For School-Age Children

• Reassure them that it is normal to feel scared of being alone, losing control, or experiencing pain.
• Offer choices and involve them in their care when possible.
• Provide outlets for play and expression of feelings, such as art or video games.
• Encourage them to bring comfort items from home.

For Teenagers

• Separation from peers and caregivers can be stressful. Encourage them to maintain contact with friends outside the hospital.
• Discuss any concerns about changes in physical appearance, and reassure them that this is normal.
• Let them know that feelings of losing control, interacting with unfamiliar people, lack of privacy, and loss of independence are common.
• Include them in medical conversations and treatments.
• Encourage them to bring comfort items from home.

General Tips for All Ages

• Stick to a routine as much as possible to provide a sense of familiarity and safety.
• Practise mindful breathing techniques to help manage stress and anxiety. This could include blowing bubbles or using a stress ball.
• Use guided imagery techniques, such as imagining a relaxing beach or their favourite place, to help children focus on their senses and change negative thoughts and feelings.
• Encourage journaling to help children process their emotions, relieve stress, and learn more about themselves.
• Provide opportunities for creative play and recreation, which can help children better understand and cope with stress.
• Reassure your child that doctors, nurses, and hospital workers are there to help them feel better.
• As a parent or caregiver, offer calm support, listen to your child, and provide extra comfort and care.

Parents' role in hospital

Parents play a crucial role in their child's hospital experience. They are their child's primary source of support and can help them navigate the unfamiliar and often scary world of hospitals. Parents can provide calm support and reassurance to their children, helping them manage stress and worry. This can include giving hugs and kisses, bringing familiar items from home, creating a comfortable environment, and providing opportunities for play and expression of feelings.

Additionally, parents can actively participate in their child's care during hospitalization. This includes open and efficient communication with nurses and doctors, gaining knowledge about their child's condition, treatment, and required home care. Parents can also be involved in decision-making processes, which can give them a sense of control and improve the quality of care their child receives. For example, parents can be included in medical conversations and treatments, allowing them to ask questions and provide informed consent.

Furthermore, parents can help their children understand why they are in the hospital. Preschoolers, for instance, may view hospitalization as a punishment, so it is important to explain that the hospital is a place to help them get better. Providing simple explanations of medical procedures and offering reassurances about their feelings can help alleviate their child's fears.

Parents can also advocate for their child's needs and rights within the hospital setting, ensuring that their child's voice is heard and their unique needs are met. This includes being involved in the social and cultural aspects of their child's care, as well as collaborating with healthcare professionals to create a supportive environment.

Overall, a parent's role in the hospital is to provide emotional support, actively participate in their child's care, advocate for their needs, and collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcome for their child.

Frequently asked questions