Description of Project

Description of Project

The proposed project targets to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of child-life services in three local hospitals as a prevention measure to child neglect. The project will cater to both inpatients and outpatients under the recruited hospitals. According to the developmental-ecological theory, risk factors that contribute to child neglect are linked to parent-child, family, and societal aspects. The program will, henceforth, be family-centered to address the psychosocial needs of the pediatric patients and their families.

The proposed program requires the hiring of certified child life specialists (CCLS) for each of the three hospitals. The CCLS job description will include; presenting evidence-based information when liaising with other professions during treatment, plan medical coping strategies, and offer therapeutic services across the care continuum. For an effective intervention, the program intends to recruit the child-life specialist at a ratio of 1 to 15 patients. The CCLS are to operate at the emergency visit departments and the perioperative area. They will work with infants, critically-ill children, oncology patients, and radiology patients. In each hospital, the CCLS will be reporting to a child life manager who, in turn, will be answerable to the division supervisor.

The program also identifies play as a primary tool for psychological preparation for invasive medical procedures. The project will modify allocated rooms to playrooms and teen lounges appropriately. These areas will be transformed into supportive spaces for fun and socializing. In these settings, the CCLS will engage and supervise pediatric patients in medical plays, games, and arts and craft activities. The proposed program plans to run as a pilot program for six months, then do a comprehensive evaluation, conduct amendments, and finally, roll out the project entirely. During the pilot, the program will consist of 20 to 30 minutes sessions for pediatric patients before and after medical procedures.

In line with integrated medical interventions, the program will adopt an ecological system framework. This approach will be directed to build relationships between the pediatric patients and the hospitals, family, schools, and the community at large. From this, the society will understand the needs of ailing children, thus alleviating the occurrence of medical and educational neglect. As such, there will be a workshop series; for parents, school-based, and community-based. The project proposes a small skit illustrating a medical procedure, poster contests, and appointing pediatric patients as ambassadors for promoting child life serves as a measure to prevent child neglect.

Program Objective, Activities, and Desired Outcome

The first objective of the proposed program is to incorporate child life services in the health care environment. The program will co-ordinate forums to educate and raise awareness on the need and advantage of having child life services in healthcare delivery. The program also plans to develop activities and events that coincide with community-based and school-based programs to promote child life services. In the pilot program, the CLS will facilitate free tutoring services for elementary school-aged children in the inpatient setting. The project also seeks to offer ambulatory child life services for patients with complex medical conditions in the outpatient setting. An experimental evaluation report for the pilot program will justify the need for child life services healthcare to stakeholders based on cost and effectiveness to child care. By the end of these activities, we expect significant positive attitudes to make child life programs mandatory in our health care system.

The proposed project has the objective of ensuring adequate psychological preparation for hospitalized children. Research has established that invasive medical procedures usually have a traumatic effect on children if not properly handled. The proposed program plans 20 to 30 minutes of therapeutic sessions with children in perioperative experiences. The CCLS will employ age-appropriate plays, auxiliary programs like therapeutic clowning, and creation of artwork. Children will be allowed to examine equipment to correct and clarify misconceptions. The CCLS will adopt various coping strategies by using guided imagery, relaxation, and pain-management methods. The desired outcome of these activities is the pediatric patients to be less anxious, manage pain, and develop coping techniques through the continuity of care. The state of normalcy for a child will be preserved without disruption of their normal development, like in continuation with schooling.

The third primary objective of the proposed program is to facilitate family support for children with chronic illnesses. Pediatric healthcare fundamentally advocates for family involvement during treatment. The CCLS will be required to offer a continuous short session of 15minutes to parents and caregivers. In these meetings, parents will be explained the child’s diagnosis and treatment regimens expected. The CCLS will also plan parent/child play sessions and offer grief support sessions to the immediate family in cases of catastrophic injuries. Likely, a family with an elaborate understanding of the pediatric patient’s condition will be influential in the psychological and emotional well-being of the patient. Besides, the family will be in a position to offer continuous support to the sick child upon understanding what is expected of them.

Participants: Groups your Program, Specific Focus Groups, and Recruitment Strategy

According to (Louisiana), 13 to 18% of children in the state have chronic health conditions. We estimate around 30 children with life-threatening illness within the three hospitals selected. The program, henceforth, estimates intervening for total of100 chronically ill pediatric patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This means working with about 200 more parents and caregivers. Working with a ratio of 1 to 15 (CCLS to pediatric patients), we recommend six certified child life specialists with one divisional supervisor. This adds up to seven professionals.

The proposed program seeks to focus on children with chronic illnesses. In Louisiana, the prevalence of chronic diseases has been on the rise. Reports indicate diabetes and asthma as the most common chronic conditions. Low-income families and minorities are majorly affected by a form of life-threatening illness among the children. The program will, henceforth, take special consideration for individuals in vulnerable groups. However, every child diagnosed or admitted to our pre-selected hospitals automatically qualifies for child-life services during these programs.

For a proper evaluation and implementation of the program, the proposed project needs to be undertaken by skillful and qualified personnel. The proposed project desires to go for candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree in child development. The strategy includes the posting of the job vacancy and also approaching passive candidates currently employed. The mission and goals of the proposed project can be successfully sold to employed candidates who are oriented to improve children‘s welfare. The project will also adopt a campus recruiting strategy to select young and dynamic talents that are ready for innovation for internship programs. Upon the success of the pilot program, the interns will be retained as per their contribution and competence.

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