Developmental Details
How might you respond to a school age child that asks, “is this poke going to hurt?”
Validate concerns
This is what other patients have told me it feels like
I hear you are concerned about pain, here are the ways we are going to address that during your poke
What is a quick way to rapport build with school age children?
Ask them about their interests
Connect with them about what they are watching
Share a joke to get them smiling and build a connection
True or False
It is ok to lie about a procedure to make sure a school age patient is not afraid.
FALSE!
If you lie or trick them you will lose their trust. Lean on your child life specialists to help you find the right language to use with patients at this age.
Name one alternative focus option for a school age patient.
Watching a video
Talking or singing with caregiver or trusted adult
Playing a handsfree game (iSpy, would you rather, etc.) or one handed game (tic tac toe, hangman, some iPad games)
Listen to music
True or False
School aged patients do not need caregiver involvement when engaging in a procedure.
False
Don’t assume based on age how much a child wants their parents to be involved in a procedure, or not.
What is a helpful phrase for a pediatric patient (school age) to hear during a routine vaccine?
You are doing great!
You are being so brave!
You are doing a great job sitting still!
Who should you be addressing when talking about medical care in the room of a school age patient?
Everyone! Both the caregivers and the patient themselves! School age children can tell if you are disinterested in them. They may not be able to answer all your questions or contribute to every conversation, but they are paying attention :)
What specific information is it important to share with school age patients about their medical care?
Sensory expectations
Visual aids
Real medical equipment if possible (show the otoscope to them before you use it on them)
Step by step instructions/plans
(First I will look at your bruise and then I am going to tell you when I will touch it)
What are some choices you could give a school age patient when placing an IV?
Which arm should we look at first?
Do you want to sit with a caregiver or by yourself?
Do you want us to count to three before the poke?
How might a family/caregivers who are having high stress levels impact your patient?
Increased risk for post-traumatic stress syndrome after hospitalization or medical event
Slower healing
Lower emotional well-being of your patient
True or False
By the age of 5 children can conceptualize the origin of an illness/injury?
True! Around age 5, children can understand the difference between an illness (germs) that could be contagious, and an injury
Name three current movies that school age children might be watching!
KPop Demon Hunters
Inside Out 2
Elio
Zootopia 2
What method works well when gauging a school age patient's understanding of something you have talked about?
Teach back method!
Have them teach you what they know so you can clear up misconceptions and better meet their needs when explaining things.
What is a quick way to reduce anxiety before any procedure?
Remind them of the pain management plan
Show them a visual aid
Ask them which part is making them feel nervous and then address that specific concern
How could a parent of a 10 year old still be involved when their child is receiving a blood draw?
Comfort positioning - side sitting, sitting on lap, holding the child's hand
Providing alternative focus through conversation, engaging with toy or game
Providing soothing and encouraging praise to the patient
Standing and watching if child chooses to complete procedure independently
What developmental concept are school age children working on?
industry vs. inferiority
A sense of competence and individuality!
What does "6-7" mean
It doesn't matter - young children are constantly looking for ways to differentiate themselves from adults and others - "industry vs. inferiority" - new generations will constantly be coming up with new language and inside jokes, especially with social media!
Sometimes to connect with school-age kids, you have to admit they are cooler than you!
When is it appropriate to tell a school age patient that something will not hurt them?
Never! Pain/discomfort are subjective and we cannot promise something will not bring pain/discomfort when we are not the ones it is happening to. Never invalidate a patients experience.
What are developmentally appropriate fears/stressors of a hospitalized school age patient?
Pokes!
Pain
Separation from caregivers
Separation from peers
How could you respond to a caregiver who asks you to "not tell them about it," when you need to complete a procedure for their 7 year old?
Validate parental concerns
Explain benefit of patient involvement and understanding to build trust in medical team
Offer child life preparation for the patient if caregiver is worried about language use