By Lisa Clough, MS ED., CHES, health journalist and certified health education specialist
There are probably few things that are more stressful for parents and children than when a child has to be taken to the hospital—which is typically unexpected and involves trauma, injury or illness. The experience can be wrought with anxiety, fear and isolation for children and their families as they are suddenly immersed in a world of medical language, equipment, sounds and smells that can be overwhelming and confusing.
Enter Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS), healthcare professionals who are uniquely trained to help children and families deal with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability, trauma or hospitalization.
As a highly trained healthcare professional with deep knowledge, education and experience in child development coupled with specific training in these areas in the medical environment, a CCLS provides children with increased coping skills and understanding of their medical situation, thereby helping to relieve the pressure that comes from being in a medical setting.Chil
March is Child Life Month, which recognizes these specialists and the unique role they play in turning a difficult experience into a manageable one for families. Here’s what parents need to know about what they do and how to advocate for this kind of help during their next hospital stay.
Through A Child’s Perspective
“Child life specialists can improve patient and family care, satisfaction and overall medical experience by minimizing the immediate and long-term effects of stress, anxiety and psychosocial trauma,” says Jamie Gentille, CCLS, system director of Child Life Services and Community Engagement at Inova Health System in Virginia.
In many large hospitals—and some community-based hospitals—in the region, teams of Certified Child Life Specialists focus on the child first, aiming to reduce trauma and stress by promoting positive coping through intentional play, self-expression activities, age-appropriate preparation and explanation of medical procedures and diagnoses, use of developmentally appropriate language, building rapport with hospital staff and helping create a positive experience for the entire family, thereby reducing fear and anxiety.
“When children come to the hospital, both they and their family are provided a lot of information in a small amount of time, which can naturally feel overwhelming,” says Melissa Manzo, Certified Child Life Specialist at Inova Loudoun Hospital, in Leesburg, Virginia. “There can be an understandable intimidation of the medical setting, and families may not know or understand their options. Certified Child Life Specialists’ background in child development allows us the unique opportunity to work with the family through the lens of the child with a focus on normalizing the medical experience, providing opportunities to allow the kid to be a kid and reducing fear and anxiety.”
For one Loudoun County family, their child life specialist at Inova Loudoun Hospital made all the difference in the surgery experience for their 8-year-old daughter.
“Gabby was very nervous about the surgery to have her tonsils removed,” recalls her father, Carlos. “But during surgery preparation, we were introduced to Emily, the child life specialist. She immediately put Gabby at ease by sharing a book that walked her through the surgery, explaining step by step what was going to happen, where we were in the process and to answer her questions. Emily’s warm, easy approach immediately reduced the stress—not only for Gabby, but for us, too! She made the whole experience easy for all of us. It takes a special kind of person to be a child life specialist.”
A minimization of stress also extends to the family and helps them cope with the visit, but it’s helpful to have the approach tailored to a child’s needs.
According to Jill McCabe, MD, the medical director for Pediatric Emergency and Hospital Services at Inova Loudoun Hospital, because of the unique training and skills of Certified Child Life Specialists, once they are involved, they positively change the dynamic of coping.
“From making sure the [hospital] is child-friendly to every little thing that happens with the child in the medical experience, their focus is child first,” Dr. McCabe says. “Data shows that medical trauma experience can have long-term effects, so that is where the expertise and involvement of Certified Child Life Specialists is critical. Parents need someone to help navigate through medical situations and support the child’s ability to cope.”
Where Can You Find a Child Life Specialist?
A CCLS works in a variety of settings in the hospital, and many develop a specialty area in which to support children. They help in the emergency department, with cancer treatment, intensive care, imaging (X-rays, MRIs and CT scans); bereavement of a sibling, parent or other loved one; broken bones; having stitches and surgery, to name a few.
Child life specialists are good communicators, are effective at building relationships, excel at working in high stress environments as they partner with all care team members, and are exceptionally adaptable, as no two days are the same and their involvement is timely. Child life specialists also educate co-workers on the medical team about stress mitigation techniques in the event a child life specialist is not available.
If You Don’t See One, Ask.
So, what should parents do if they have a hospital experience with their child and need support? Ask the staff, “Do you have Certified Child Life Specialists? Do you have anyone available who works with pediatric patients specifically to help relieve stress?”
“We are here to support your child with honesty and transparency,” Gentille, CCLS at Inova, reminds parents. “Parents can advocate for their child by asking for a child life specialist. We are here to partner with families and encourage them to be comfortable with asking questions and having a conversation about how we can make the hospital a stress-free and comfortable experience for your child.”
Credentials & Training
Certified Child Life Specialists have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field, such as psychology, human growth and development, education or counseling. They complete a clinical internship, pass a national certification examination, follow a code of ethics and are required to complete continuing education that recertifies them every five years. Their specialized education and training includes incorporating a medical model of play that explains what is happening in the medical setting; training to support children through bereavement; supporting preparation for medical procedures, diagnosis and treatment; anticipation of sensory experiences and understanding how trauma and pain affect children and how to mitigate those effects.
Editor’s Note: Carlos requested his last name not be used for his family’s privacy.
