A specialist area of healthcare called Child Life Services offers assistance to kids and families dealing with disease, injuries, hospitalisation, and other medical problems. Child life Specialists (CLSs) are educated individuals who assist children in understanding and coping with their experiences in hospital settings through play, education, and support.
In an era overrun by gadgets, Child Life Specialists add a human touch in any recovery process strengthening psychosocial care.
Role and Importance of Child Life Specialists
A child's inherent curiosity, fear, and apprehension when going through medical procedures are all bridged by child life specialists. Their main responsibility is to assist families and children of all ages, from infants to teenagers, in overcoming the difficulties associated with hospitalisation, surgery, chronic disease, pain management, bereavement, developmental disabilities, and mental health difficulties.
CLS use a variety of methods to support children and families, including:
- Play: For kids, learning and coping come naturally via play. Children are assisted by CLS in understanding and processing their medical experiences, expressing their feelings, and acquiring coping skills via play.
- Education: Children and families are given information by CLS about their medical issues and procedures. This lessens tension and gives kids a sense of control. To ascertain each child's individual emotional and psychological requirements, Child Life Professionals carry out certain screenings when required. This screening serves as the foundation for developing interventions and support methods that are tailored to not only the child's specific requirements, but also the family’s.
- Support: Throughout the medical process, CLS offer families and children emotional assistance. They are available to support families as they deal with the difficulties of illness and hospitalisation by listening, encouraging, and guiding them.
Hospitalisation can also evoke anxiety or trauma in children and families, a supportive environment created by the Child Life Specialists ensures a more relaxed and positive environment for the family so that children recuperate better. Child Life Experts offer priceless assistance in tragic instances where a youngster is dealing with a terminal disease. They help families have frank conversations, prepare kids for the end of life, and make sure the family has the emotional support it needs at this trying time.
Child Development and Coping Mechanisms
The core of a Child Life Specialist's job is comprehending child growth. Based on a child's age, cognitive capacity, and emotional development, they modify their techniques. They can achieve this by introducing coping techniques that are suitable and efficient for every single youngster. Children may not be able to comprehend complicated medical concepts, for instance. Young children are helped to comprehend their medical illnesses and procedures in a way that is meaningful to them by CLS through play and other activities. Even while older kids may be able to comprehend more complicated medical facts, they could still feel terrified or anxious when they have an encounter. To assist older children in coping with their medical experiences, CLS offers age-appropriate education and assistance.
Preparation for Medical Procedures
Getting kids ready for medical treatments is one of Child Life Specialists' most important contributions. To demystify the procedure, they make use of age-appropriate models, explanations, and interactive technologies. This preparation ensures that the youngster feels more in control of their condition and lowers fear, making operations run more smoothly and hastening recovery. To show a child the steps of a medical operation, for instance, caregivers may use a doll or teddy animal. The child may feel more in control and will know what to expect as a result. Also, the kid may be taught relaxation methods or other coping skills by the CLS to utilise while having the surgery. This support extends to the family as well.
Pain Management and Distraction Techniques
During treatments, child life specialists use a variety of ways to divert kids and control discomfort. These methods include breathing exercises, interactive activities, and guided imagery to get the child's focus off of their discomfort. These techniques help children control their feelings more effectively while also relieving pain.
Research and Best Practices
In order to support children and families dealing with illness, injury, hospitalisation, and other medical issues, CLS is actively engaged in research. Also, CLS works to communicate study findings to families and medical providers. Child life services research is now being done in the following areas:
- The application of technology in the healthcare sector to support patients' families and children
- The development of child life interventions that are suitable for each culture
- The success of child life services for particular populations, including kids with chronic diseases or intellectual problems
- Effects of child life services on outcomes for children and families
Training and Certification
Being a novel concept in India, Aster CMI is the first to launch this program. Currently, Psychologists with child psychology background are provided with the training and certification.
Ethical Considerations
The high ethical standards that Child Life Specialists follow include protecting confidentiality, honouring cultural diversity, and placing a priority on the child's best interests. Their moral dedication guarantees that children and their families receive caring and respectful treatment.
The healthcare team must include child life specialists. To ensure a comprehensive approach to paediatric care, they work closely with medical experts such as doctors, nurses, therapists, and others. In order to meet the varied demands of young patients, this partnership is crucial.
