How Saudi Child Life Specialists Support Young Patients in Hospitals
Child life specialists play a crucial role in supporting young patients and their families during hospitalization by helping them cope with the experience through various methods.
Raghad Al-Salamah, among the first Saudis to work in the child life field, emphasized that the primary focus of child life is assisting both children and families in coping with hospitalization.
Child life specialists provide personalized support tailored to the age and emotional needs of each child, aiming to reduce anxiety through preparation and play-based methods.Their responsibilities include explaining medical procedures in a manner understandable by children while simultaneously creating a more supportive environment in clinical settings.
Al-Salamah noted that over time, the impact of child life services becomes visible in how children approach their treatment, both physically and emotionally.Studies have shown the positive outcomes resulting from the involvement of child life specialists.
For example, a study titled 'Reducing Anesthesia and Healthcare Cost Through Utilization of Child Life Specialists in Pediatric Radiation Oncology' discovered that these specialists significantly reduced the need for anesthesia among children undergoing radiotherapy by 16 percent.
Another study, 'Benefits of a Family-Centered Approach to Pediatric Induction of Anesthesia,' found that when child life specialists were included in a family-centered model, the need for sedation before procedures dropped from 41 percent to 13 percent.Al-Salamah's motivation for entering this field stems from her concern for children's experiences during healthcare.
She aims to educate and prepare them for their diagnoses and treatment processes while hospitalized.
The integration of child life specialists into pediatric care is gradually taking place in Saudi Arabia, with several hospitals now implementing these services after raising awareness about the role they play.Fadi Munshi, executive director of Abdulrahman's Oasis, a child life foundation in the Kingdom, highlighted the progress made thus far and the goal to expand access to these services across all hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
Families have reported improvements in how their children handle treatments, noting that they are less afraid and more comfortable when child life specialists are present.Child life services undoubtedly contribute to improving hospital environments for young patients by easing pain and providing emotional support.
As the foundation continues its efforts to expand access to these services, it aspires for every hospitalized child to have access to child life specialists who offer them psychological and social support just as they are treated physically.
Child life specialists provide personalized support tailored to the age and emotional needs of each child, aiming to reduce anxiety through preparation and play-based methods.Their responsibilities include explaining medical procedures in a manner understandable by children while simultaneously creating a more supportive environment in clinical settings.
Al-Salamah noted that over time, the impact of child life services becomes visible in how children approach their treatment, both physically and emotionally.Studies have shown the positive outcomes resulting from the involvement of child life specialists.
For example, a study titled 'Reducing Anesthesia and Healthcare Cost Through Utilization of Child Life Specialists in Pediatric Radiation Oncology' discovered that these specialists significantly reduced the need for anesthesia among children undergoing radiotherapy by 16 percent.
Another study, 'Benefits of a Family-Centered Approach to Pediatric Induction of Anesthesia,' found that when child life specialists were included in a family-centered model, the need for sedation before procedures dropped from 41 percent to 13 percent.Al-Salamah's motivation for entering this field stems from her concern for children's experiences during healthcare.
She aims to educate and prepare them for their diagnoses and treatment processes while hospitalized.
The integration of child life specialists into pediatric care is gradually taking place in Saudi Arabia, with several hospitals now implementing these services after raising awareness about the role they play.Fadi Munshi, executive director of Abdulrahman's Oasis, a child life foundation in the Kingdom, highlighted the progress made thus far and the goal to expand access to these services across all hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
Families have reported improvements in how their children handle treatments, noting that they are less afraid and more comfortable when child life specialists are present.Child life services undoubtedly contribute to improving hospital environments for young patients by easing pain and providing emotional support.
As the foundation continues its efforts to expand access to these services, it aspires for every hospitalized child to have access to child life specialists who offer them psychological and social support just as they are treated physically.
