In the early days of the pandemic, my daughter, who had dealt with a respiratory infection for much of the previous winter, started to wheeze again. She would wake up at night needing nebulizer treatments, and panic set in—my first thought was COVID. Our pediatrician quickly prescribed a COVID test.
Back then, the only way to get tested was through a nasal swab performed by someone in a hazmat suit who leaned into the car window. My daughter clenched her teeth and bravely endured the swabbing (thankfully, the result was negative!). Nearly a year later, she vividly recounts the experience, calling it the “swab that touched her brain.”
While her story ended well, such experiences can leave lasting trauma for many children, fostering fear and mistrust towards medical environments. This is where Child Life Specialists step in, and the Emotional Safety Initiative is one of their efforts aimed at addressing these concerns.
We spoke with Laura Jenkins, President of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), about this initiative and its recent call to prioritize emotional safety alongside physical safety in pediatric healthcare settings.
What Is The Emotional Safety Initiative?
The Emotional Safety Initiative is a movement that seeks to place emotional safety on par with physical safety in pediatric medical encounters. According to a press release from ACLP, emotional safety is “an intentional, interdisciplinary practice” designed to enhance resilience, healing, and trust among pediatric patients and their families during medical experiences. Essentially, it aims to ensure that both patients and their families have a supportive and stress-free environment.
The Four-Part Framework of the Emotional Safety Initiative
This initiative is built on four key components:
- Screening and Assessment
This component focuses on understanding patients and their families to create a supportive framework. It involves assessing their experiences, strengths, and challenges, either in advance or during emergency situations. - Intervention
This part centers on the child’s comfort and understanding their past medical experiences. By identifying what has been difficult for them, the goal is to avoid replicating those stressors. - Environment
Everything in a medical environment can be intimidating for children, from the attire of adults to the size of hospital beds. This prong encourages healthcare providers to create a more child-friendly atmosphere. For instance, when designing new hospital wings, attention is paid to the positioning of parent beds to best support the child. - Education, Training, and Communication
Every staff member, from security to medical professionals, plays a role in a child’s emotional safety. This component focuses on educating all personnel on emotional safety standards.
Why Emotional Safety Matters
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, around 80% of pediatric patients and their families experience some form of traumatic stress following medical procedures for severe illnesses or injuries. Short-term effects can include developmental setbacks and sleep issues, while long-term effects may lead to difficulties in trusting healthcare systems as adults.
Jenkins shared a poignant story about a family member who developed a serious illness at age seven. During her numerous hospitalizations, emotional safety was neglected, and her parents could only visit during restricted hours. After enduring seven surgeries and a year-long hospital stay, she grew to fear healthcare settings, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
How Parents Can Support Emotional Safety
Parents can play a vital role in fostering emotional safety by recognizing the potential impact of medical procedures. Even seemingly minor interventions (like a nasal swab) can leave lasting impressions that can’t be easily remedied with a treat afterward. Parents should feel empowered to ask questions and explore options for their children’s care. Jenkins emphasizes that parents are the foremost experts on their children.
For further guidance, parents can visit the Emotional Safety Initiative website to discover how to engage healthcare providers and ensure emotionally safe care.
The ultimate aim of the Emotional Safety Initiative is to help healthcare providers and parents acknowledge that emotionally safe environments positively influence the physical and mental well-being of patients and families. Jenkins notes that emotional safety profoundly affects long-term health access, especially in pediatrics, making it a critical factor in developing a healthy relationship with healthcare.
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Summary
The Emotional Safety Initiative is focused on making pediatric medical experiences more emotionally supportive, aiming to reduce anxiety and fear in children. Through a four-part framework involving screening, intervention, environment, and education, the initiative seeks to create a safe space for young patients and their families. Understanding the importance of emotional safety can lead to better health outcomes and foster trust in medical settings.