ERIC Number: EJ1061926
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Dec
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0196-5042
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Resource Collaboration: The Benefits of Utilizing Child Life Specialists When Dealing with Pediatric Stress
Kaddoura, Mahmoud; Cormier, Katie; Leduc, Joshua
Educational Research Quarterly, v37 n2 p3-21 Dec 2013
Introduction: In pediatric hospitals there are varying opinions regarding who is part of the healthcare team. Each specialty has a different view on the various aspects of care. Objective: The study explores healthcare providers' diverse points-of-view on stress and compares coping strategies to obtain the most effective way to reduce stress in pediatric patients with a chronic condition. Method: The study used a qualitative research design. The sample population included six nurses and five child life specialists who have significant experience in pediatrics. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. To identify common themes, a content/data analysis was performed. Results: Six themes were recognized and led to the identification of differences and similarities between nurses and child life specialists, both of whom reported fear of the unknown as the biggest stressor for the pediatric patient. The act of healthcare workers lying to the child as an attempt to reduce stress on the child was reported as an ineffective coping strategy. Nurses reported crying as a symptom of stress, while child life specialists reported crying as an effective coping strategy. The care of a child coping under stress needs to be a collaborative group effort. Most professionals reported that situations would have been conducted more efficiently if better communication had been in place. Family-centered care was perceived as valuable for improving pediatric patient coping mechanisms. Implications: The discovered data help to identify the importance of collaborating with all available resources to obtain the best care possible for patients. This article provides effective coping strategies to care for patients. It will help nurses and other healthcare professionals understand how child life specialists help chronically-ill patients cope effectively with stress.
Descriptors: Pediatrics, Specialists, Anxiety, Health Personnel, Coping, Patients, Children, Chronic Illness, Qualitative Research, Nurses, Semi Structured Interviews, Cooperation, Hospitals, Stress Variables
Behavioral Research Press. Grambling State University, Math Department, P.O. Box 1191, Grambling, LA 71245. Tel: 318-274-2425; Web site: http://erquarterly.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A