A trip to the hospital can be a stressful experience for an adult, and more so for a child. Placed in an unfamiliar health care setting, a child may feel confusion, fear or a loss of control. This is where a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), who is trained to help children cope with hospitalization, enters the scene. As a member of the psychosocial care team and a child development expert, the CCLS strives to ease children’s fears and anxiety, and promote effective coping through psychological preparation, procedural support and play.
Southwest Virginia’s own Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital (Carilion) currently has three child life specialists working in various areas including the inpatient pediatric and pediatric intensive care units, the pre-surgical area, the emergency department and the hematology/oncology clinic. These child life specialists also work with children and grandchildren of adult patients, and provide support for everything from a neonate to a bereavement.
Many people have never heard of child life, which has become the standard of care in pediatric hospitals. Research shows that children who are appropriately prepared for medical procedures experience less anxiety and fear, and demonstrate better long term adjustment with health care challenges. On any given day, a Carilion child life specialist can be found demonstrating how an IV works on a stuffed animal for a frightened five year old, helping a child understand a sibling’s cancer diagnosis, encouraging patients to come see the visiting Mill Mountain Zoo animals, or tracking down the perfect color of thread to stitch up a pink unicorn.
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and Carilion understand that there is more to a child’s hospital stay than medicine. By appreciating the important role that child life specialists play in treating the whole child, CMN and Carilion are able to better serve children and families in Southwest Virginia. Child life specialists work to ensure that the region’s children get the best in both medical and psychosocial care during their stay at Carilion, and leave the hospital healthy, happy and with a sense of mastery regarding their healthcare.
To learn more about Children's Miracle Network Hospitals visit their website and find them on Facebook
Southwest Virginia’s own Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital (Carilion) currently has three child life specialists working in various areas including the inpatient pediatric and pediatric intensive care units, the pre-surgical area, the emergency department and the hematology/oncology clinic. These child life specialists also work with children and grandchildren of adult patients, and provide support for everything from a neonate to a bereavement.
Many people have never heard of child life, which has become the standard of care in pediatric hospitals. Research shows that children who are appropriately prepared for medical procedures experience less anxiety and fear, and demonstrate better long term adjustment with health care challenges. On any given day, a Carilion child life specialist can be found demonstrating how an IV works on a stuffed animal for a frightened five year old, helping a child understand a sibling’s cancer diagnosis, encouraging patients to come see the visiting Mill Mountain Zoo animals, or tracking down the perfect color of thread to stitch up a pink unicorn.
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and Carilion understand that there is more to a child’s hospital stay than medicine. By appreciating the important role that child life specialists play in treating the whole child, CMN and Carilion are able to better serve children and families in Southwest Virginia. Child life specialists work to ensure that the region’s children get the best in both medical and psychosocial care during their stay at Carilion, and leave the hospital healthy, happy and with a sense of mastery regarding their healthcare.
To learn more about Children's Miracle Network Hospitals visit their website and find them on Facebook
