In the early days of the pandemic, my daughter, who had endured a respiratory infection throughout the winter, began wheezing again. She started waking up at night, requiring nebulizer treatments, and my immediate worry was COVID-19. Her pediatrician promptly prescribed a COVID test, which at that time was administered through a nasal swab by a healthcare worker clad in a hazmat suit. My daughter bravely endured the swab, famously declaring it felt like it “touched her brain.” Thankfully, she tested negative, but the experience left a mark on her. For some children, such experiences can lead to a lasting fear and mistrust of medical environments, which is where Child Life Specialists come in. The Emotional Safety Initiative aims to address this issue.
We spoke with Laura Jenkins, President of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), about the Emotional Safety Initiative and a recent paper advocating for the prioritization of emotional safety alongside physical safety in pediatric medical care.
What Is the Emotional Safety Initiative?
The Emotional Safety Initiative is a movement focused on equalizing emotional safety with physical safety in all pediatric medical experiences. According to a press release from the ACLP, emotional safety involves “intentional, interdisciplinary practices” designed to foster resilience, healing, and trust for pediatric patients and their families during medical encounters. Essentially, it aims to create a stress-free and emotionally supportive environment for both patients and their families.
The Framework of the Emotional Safety Initiative
The initiative is built on four key components:
- Screening and Assessment: This aspect seeks to understand the needs of patients and their families, allowing the medical team to create a supportive atmosphere. Assessments can occur before a planned admission or in the moment during emergencies.
- Intervention: This focuses on ensuring the child’s comfort by learning about their past experiences with medical procedures. Understanding prior difficulties helps prevent similar distressing situations.
- Environment: Children may find medical environments intimidating due to various factors, such as adult attire and the size of equipment. This segment encourages healthcare providers to craft a child-friendly atmosphere. For instance, Laura mentions how her hospital is designing new patient rooms with parent beds positioned to be most comforting for children.
- Education, Training, and Communication: Everyone involved in a child’s care, from security personnel to medical staff, plays a role in emotional safety. This component aims to educate all team members about the standards of emotional safety.
The Importance of Emotional Safety
Research from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network indicates that 80% of pediatric patients experience some form of traumatic stress following treatments for severe illnesses or injuries. This can lead to short-term effects like developmental setbacks and sleep issues, and long-term consequences might include a distrust of healthcare systems as adults. Laura shared a poignant story about a relative who, after facing multiple surgeries at a young age without emotional support, developed an enduring fear of medical settings, ultimately leading to tragic health consequences.
Supporting Emotional Safety as Parents
Parents can play a crucial role in promoting emotional safety by recognizing the potential impact of medical procedures on their children. Even seemingly minor interventions, like a nasal swab, can leave lasting impressions that a simple treat afterward may not remedy. Parents need to feel empowered to ask questions and understand their options, as they are the foremost experts on their children.
For further guidance, parents can explore the Emotional Safety Initiative’s website for tips on engaging with healthcare providers about accessing emotionally safe care. The ultimate goal is to help both healthcare providers and parents realize that fostering emotional safety significantly influences both the physical and mental well-being of children and families.
If you’re interested in more topics on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this blog post. Additionally, for a deeper understanding of insemination methods, this resource is quite informative, as is this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination.
Possible Search Queries
- What is the Emotional Safety Initiative?
- How to support children during medical procedures?
- What are Child Life Specialists?
- Tips for parents in medical settings
- Understanding emotional safety in healthcare
In summary, the Emotional Safety Initiative aims to ensure that children receive medical care that prioritizes their emotional well-being alongside physical safety. By fostering a supportive environment and understanding the long-term impacts of medical encounters, both healthcare professionals and parents can contribute to better health outcomes for children.