Your Child in the Hospital
Help from the staff
You can find many resources in the pediatrician’s office, at the library, or at the hospital to help prepare your child for his hospital visit. Some doctors provide age-appropriate videos that explain surgery and other procedures in terms children understand.
Many children’s hospitals employ child life specialists who can help your child learn about a procedure using dolls or toys. Hospitals also have child psychologists and social workers skilled at explaining how hospitals work and answering children’s questions. As soon as you know your child will be spending time in the hospital, ask the doctor about these specialized services.
Matthew was in sixth grade and he was worried about the surgery for putting the catheter in his chest. The child life worker showed him what a catheter looked like, then they explored the pre-op area, the actual surgery room, and post-op. She showed him on a cloth doll exactly where the incision would be and how the scar would look. Then she introduced him to “Fred,” the IV pump. She said that Fred would be going places with him, and that Fred would keep him from getting so many pokes. She really helped him with his fears.
Table of Contents
All Guides- Introduction
- 1. Before You Go
- 2. The Emergency Room
- 3. Preparing Your Child
- 4. The Facilities
- 5. The Staff
- 6. Communicating with Doctors
- 7. Common Procedures
- 8. Surgery
- 9. Pain Management
- 10. Family and Friends. What to Say
- 11. Family and Friends. How to Help
- 12. Feelings and Behavior
- 13. Siblings
- 14. Long-Term Illness or Injury
- 15. School
- 16. Medical and Financial Records
- 17. Insurance
- 18. Sources of Financial Help
- 19. Looking Back
- My Hospital Journal
- Packing List
- Resources
- Contributors
- About the Author