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Taking the Fear out of Hospitals
The Role of the Child Life Specialist By Shel Franco
And surgery is not the only department or procedure that relies on assistance from the child life specialist. "There are child life specialists in the in-patient units, pediatric intensive care units, emergency departments, hematology and oncology departments, ambulatory clinics, day surgery area and various other places," says Ducke.
She suggests that before a child undergoes a surgery or procedure, the parents should call the hospital and inquire about a child life department. In the event that a specialist is not available, Ducke offers this advice:
- Bring blankets, dolls, toys and movies that the child is familiar with to the hospital. These items can serve to distract the child during some procedures.
- Call ahead to see if the hospital offers any pre-operative teaching for children. Many hospitals offer tours and educational introductions to surgeries and procedures.
- Talk to your child in a way she will understand. Don't overwhelm her with details, but do be honest.
- Tell the child if the procedure will hurt. It is better to tell the truth and maintain trust. Provide the child with some type of play medical equipment. Closely supervised play can offer parents an opportunity to observe a child's fears and misconceptions, which are often acted out during play.
Why Are Child Life Specialists Important?
Dealing with serious illnesses, complicated procedures and extended hospital stays are difficult on everyone involved. The child life specialist uses a bank of knowledge and a bag of tricks to help take the fear out of the hospital and return smiles to the children's faces. "Sarah loved Carolyn, who was very fun and supportive," Turner says. "Carolyn was a godsend. [Her] involvement was key to getting through a very difficult experience."