Health Care Services & Hospitalization

October 23, 2007

Health Care Providers Specialized

Practitioners Physicians Nurses Dieticians Respiratory

therapists Physical therapists Pharmacists Social workers Dentists

Name the physician… Cardiologist Endocrinologist Pediatrician Otolaryngologist Hematologist Gastroenterologis

t Anesthesiologist

Opthalmologist Orthopedist Oncologist Immunologist Neurologist Psychiatrist Nephrologist

Health Care Services Office-based treatment Treatment by a specialist Inpatient treatment

Hospital Rehabilitation facility

Recent Trend in Services Decreasing hospital stays, while

increasing outpatient & home health care use

Advantages Is less expensive Prefer home Can attend school

Disadvantages Complex care without close supervision Potentially stressful for caregiver

Aspects of Hospitalization Multiple health care

providers Medical-centered

practices Disrupted lifestyle Unfamiliar

environment

Hospitalization in the Early Years of Childhood

Short-term separation from parents Distress

Prolonged separation from parents Protest Despair

Misconceptions about health problems

Anxious behavior at home after discharge

Hospitalized School-Age Children

Misconceptions still can exist Four aspects difficult for older

children: Feelings of control Worry Being away from peers Privacy

Helping Children Cope with Being Hospitalized Give information to them

Explain the reason for the stay Describe what it will be like Use words the child understands

Allow the child opportunities to ask questions

Helping Children Cope with Being Hospitalized

Take the child to the hospital and explain some of the routines

State when the parents will be with the child

Maintain a calm and confident manner

How Hospitals Help Children Cope

Pediatric workers have special training

Child-oriented atmosphere & activities

Explain & demonstrate procedures

How Hospitals Help Children Cope

Preparation Programs

Effectiveness varies as a function of: Timing of program Age of child Child’s coping style Child’s previous medical experiences