As a parent, you may experience a multitude of feelings regarding your child s hospitalization fear, helplessness, confusion, anger, and worry. A special group of healthcare professionals called Child Life Specialists, understands these feelings and would like to provide support to you and your family during this critical time. This pamphlet was developed by the Child Life department at St. Joseph s Hospital to help parents of hospitalized children better understand and deal with different questions, concerns, and issues regarding the care of your hospitalized and non-hospitalized children. Parents are experts on their children, and can therefore aid in assessing, observing, and understanding the child s well-being and daily needs. As a parent, it is your right to insist that healthcare professionals treat you as a partner in the decision-making process and treatment planning regarding your hospitalized child.
Parents are welcome to help with any part of their child s care.
Nursing staff will be happy to assist parents get involved with the child s daily care needs. As an advocate for your child, parents have the right to ask questions about medical procedures and clarify any terms that may be confusing to you regarding your child s medical treatment. The best way to develop a good relationship with healthcare providers is to express your ideas, concerns, and opinions regarding your child s treatment. It is also important for you as a parent, to become as knowledgeable as possible about your child s illness or disability in order to better understand your child s medical treatment. Parents have the right to ask healthcare professionals for resources in understanding their child s illness or disability.