HDFS 433 Final

what is child life?

what is child life?

• field that focuses on the emotional and developmental needs of hospitalized children and their families

• medical/therapeutic play, psychosocial support, preparation, education

list one primary objective of child life

help the child cope with the stress and anxiety of the hospital experience

list a second primary objective of child life

promote the child’s normal growth and development while in the health care setting and after returning home

what are the three phases of separation?

protest, despair, detachment

protest

cry, scream, kick, look for signs of parents return

despair

quiet, withdrawn, hopelessness

detachment

active and interested in surroundings

what are the guidelines for supportive listening?

1. focus conversation on parent

2. look at speaker

3. nod, say uh-huh mhm

4. don’t be afraid of silence

5. open ended questions

6. avoid questions in disagreement

7. restate what you have heard

8. respond to feeling messages

characteristics of play #1

pleasurable and enjoyable

characteristics of play #2

no extrinsic goals

characteristics of play #3

spontaneous and voluntary

characteristics of play #4

active engagement

characteristics of play #5

related to what is not play

how many hours is program coverage?

five days per week, 8 hours per day

what categories should be covered in the funding of the child life program?

• salary

• office space/supplies

• storage

• play/recreational equipment

• parties/events

• travel

• staff education

• student teaching materials

what are the general guidelines of playroom design?

1. provide for play

2. general safety (outlets, sharp edges, handles)

3. wheelchair/gurney accessible

4. variety of materials and areas

what are the three elements of preparation?

1. imparting info

2. emotional expression

3. establish trusting relationships

who should be prepared for procedures or hospitalization?

all children cognitively capable of understanding simple explanations of events and procedures

what elements should effective preparation include?

1. emotional expression

2. information

3. emotional support

what are the categories of volunteer positions?

• playroom supervision

• activities for children

• subsitute parents

• entertainment

• use of special skills (chess, artists, stamp collectors)

• supportive services

• family assistance

• clerical work

• special programming

who is the founder of child life?

emma plank

where was the first child life program and who started it?

• emma plank

• cleveland city hospital

what is the stress potential assessment process?

healthcare variables, family variables, child variables

healthcare variables

• diagnosis

• anticipated treatment and procedures

• physical responses to illness

• injury and treatment

• number, personalities, values of healthcare workers

family variables

• availability to child

• support systems

• other family needs

• cultural beliefs

• other life stresses

• responses to healthcare experiences

• understanding of child’s situation

• awareness of child’s needs and concerns

• ability and opportunities to communicate w/ healthcare providers

child variables

• chronological and developmental age

• separation response

• able to communicate

• understanding and fears

• coping styles and resources

• cultural beliefs

• other life stresses

what is the definition of family-centered care?

mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families, and healthcare professionals

four concepts of family-centered care

1. dignity and respect

2. information sharing

3. participation

4. collaboration

what are the benefits of charting for a child life specialist?

• provide info to other team members

• create a coping plan

• assess, evaluate, and intervene patient care

• educate others about child life

what does "play as flow" refer to?

fully in the moment, consumed with play, intrinsically rewarded by joy

who is richard lazarus?

creator of the stress-coping framework

stress-coping framework

how people respond to stress (extreme or undisturbed)

what is primary appraisal?

nature of the potential threat

what is secondary appraisal?

how to cope with the situation

what are interventions for sibling involvement?

• developmentally appropriate explanations

• discussion with parents and children

• phone/video calls, letter writing

• include school/childcare providers for support

• specific programs for oncology/NICU

• support parents

what are the five components of planning child life interventions for impending death?

1. universality

2. irreversibility

3. nonfunctionality

4. casuality

5. noncorporeal continuation

universality

understanding that all things eventually die

irreversibility

once the physical body dies, it cannot come alive again

nonfunctionality

when a living thing dies it ceases to function

casuality

abstract or realistic causes of death

abstract cause of death example

illness or old age

realistic cause of death example

guns

noncorporeal continuation

belief in the afterlife or communication after a physical death

what is the cultural sensitivity surrounding the death of a child?

understanding a family’s needs and wishes pertaining to their culture

death and cultural practices examples

• loss commemoration

• rituals

• beliefs about what happens after death

• emotional expression

• gender rules

what is the importance of coping skills?

• foster resiliency

• adaptation to illness

• restore control

• build self-efficacy

what is the role of a child life specialist in reentry to school for the child?

preparing the classmates for the hospitalized child’s return (in person, video)

when would a school reentry process be helpful?

changes in:

• appearance

• routine

• ability/wellness

• life span

what are the effects of hospitalization and interventions on a school-age child?

• hospitalization generally brings negative behavioral changes

• reductions of distress with play and preparation