Pre-clinic tours are helpful as well as medical play to familiarize the child with this new setting. These patients also benefit from pain distractions and learn coping techniques that work for them. On the other hand, many patients who have been through the clinic routine regularly as they receive treatment could do it blind-folded. These patients may be spending hours in the clinic. Child Life also plays a major role for children who are hospitalized and their families.
Inpatients often face problems like nausea, fatigue, and pain.
I help these children and teens come up with coping techniques such as relaxation, imagery, and distractions. Many times providing normalization activities is a great way of distracting patients. Normalization is very important with long hospitalizations. The playroom is utilized to get patients out of bed and to interact with other patients. New to our unit is the Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant Program.