Fortunately for young patients, there have been enormous advances in the technical and professional aspects of pediatric care, as well as in the understanding of the emotional needs of hospitalized children. Twenty or thirty years ago, there was a general feeling that small patients were easier to handle if their parents did not visit them too often. Now it is recognized that, although a stay in the hospital is a worrying period for any child, the experience can be less frightening and traumatic if the parents are actively involved in the child's care and recovery.
Pediatric facilities vary from hospital to hospital.
The following article is based on a modern children's hospital. A parent should not be concerned if facilities are not the same as those described, as long as there is ample evidence that the team caring for the child understands his or her needs, as well as the needs of the parents. The more involved a parent can be with the treatment, the better. Few parents would choose to stand by and watch when they could be taking an active part in their child's recovery.