The benefits of child life therapy in the hospital setting

[cindycruz]

[h=1]The benefits of child life therapy in the hospital setting[/h]

By: Cindy Cruz RN

The use of child life therapy during hospitalization has many benefits. Child life therapists are pediatric health care professionals whom are a part of the interdisciplinary team. They typically hold a bachelors degree in a field of study related to childhood education or psychology. Most obtain a Child Life Certification. They must undergo 480 hours of child life clinical experience while being supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist.

The child life therapist provides age appropriate therapy to help the child and the families cope with medical procedures. Providing self-expression activities, give information, support and guidance. The coping strategies help to develop trust between the patient and the medical staff.

As a pediatric nurse I have found the benefits of using a child life therapist. The therapist provides active teaching before a procedure "preparing" the patient with what to expect. Therapeutic recreational play activities can help ease the fear and subdue anxiety. They then remain at the bedside, "assisting" with the distraction and support during the procedure. This helps the nurse tremendously. A once fearful toddler can be distracted with an ipad, making an IV start go quickly and smoothly. When the procedure is completed, most therapists remain with the patient for a period of time continuing the bond they have developed.

I have had the opportunity of working with and without child life therapist during invasive procedures. It is a known fact that the child life therapists have the "time" that nurses don't have. They are able to spend the "extra" few minutes to provide the TLC the patient requires. One particular situation that stands out to me from all the years I have been in nursing is when I had an eight-year-old patient (John) that was very fearful of coming to hospital. John's mother had prepared him the night before his surgery. As John and his mother arrived to the PACU he was crying and shivering inconsolably. As we were trying to calm John and help alleviate his fears, the thought of all the patients that were waiting for my attention started to overwhelm me. When the child life therapist (Kathy) entered the room, I knew John was in good hands. She got down to his level. Kathy had a calming effect on John, she somehow let him know that he was the sole of her attention and she was there to make him comfortable. As I drew his blood and prepared John for surgery, Kathy remained at his side. Kathy explained what I was going to do before I did it, alleviating any anxiety or fear of the unknown that John was experiencing. Before I left the room John and Kathy were joking about how tough super heroes were. Within minutes John was well informed about his surgery and no longer had any fears of the rolling bed he was lying on. He turned to me and waved as he explained he was on "a magic carpet ride" as he was wheeled into the OR.

As a member of the health care team, child life therapist are ranked number one in my book. They not only alleviate fears for the patient, educate the families of procedures and expectations, they serve as an advocate for the medical staff. Without child life therapist there would be many unhappy patients and families, which remain fearful of hospitals.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

As a peds RN and as the mom of a child with medical issues, I have seen wonderful things happen with child life. My child was prepared very well for an outpatient procedure with sedation. Was not at all afraid, and has good memories instead of bad ones.

I only wish for two things:

1) they have child life available at night, because I never see them.

2) they have "adult life" for people like my grandma who was afraid and disoriented when she was inpatient.