The Emotional Safety Initiative Aims to Make Medical Procedures Less Intimidating for Children

In the early days of the pandemic, my daughter, who had battled a respiratory infection for much of the previous winter, began to wheeze again. She started waking up in the middle of the night requiring nebulizer treatments, and panic set in. My immediate thought was COVID-19. Her pediatrician ordered a COVID test, and at that time, the only option was a nasal swab conducted by a person clad in a hazmat suit who leaned into our car. My daughter gritted her teeth and endured the swab (thankfully, it came back negative). Almost a year later, she vividly recounts the experience as the “swab that touched her brain.”

While her experience ended in a story, many children could develop lasting fears and mistrust of medical environments. This is where Child Life Specialists step in, aiming to prevent such outcomes through the Emotional Safety Initiative.

I spoke with Anna Carter, President of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), to learn more about the Emotional Safety Initiative and its recent paper advocating for children’s emotional safety to be prioritized alongside their physical well-being in healthcare settings.

What Is The Emotional Safety Initiative?

The Emotional Safety Initiative is a movement that emphasizes the importance of emotional safety in pediatric medical experiences, placing it on par with physical safety. As described in a press release from the ACLP, emotional safety is an intentional and interdisciplinary approach designed to foster resilience, healing, and trust among pediatric patients and their families during medical encounters. Essentially, it aims to provide a stress-free and supportive experience for patients and their families.

The Four-Part Framework of the Emotional Safety Initiative

The initiative is built upon four key components:

Screening and Assessment: This element focuses on understanding patients and their families to build a supportive system. It involves assessing families’ experiences, strengths, and challenges, either prior to a planned admission or on the spot during an emergency.
Intervention: This aspect centers on ensuring the child’s comfort and understanding their past medical experiences. According to Carter, the goal is to recognize what has been difficult in the past to avoid replicating those situations.
Environment: Everything in a medical setting can be intimidating for children, from how adults are dressed to the size of the beds. This component encourages healthcare providers to create child-friendly environments. For instance, Carter mentions how her hospital is designing a new bed tower with family support in mind.
Education, Training, and Communication: This element emphasizes that everyone involved in a patient’s care—from security personnel to medical staff—plays a role in ensuring emotional safety. The goal is to educate all team members about emotional safety standards.

The Importance of Emotional Safety

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network reports that 80% of pediatric patients and their families experience some form of traumatic stress following medical treatment for severe illnesses or injuries. Short-term effects can include developmental setbacks and sleep issues, while long-term consequences may hinder a child’s ability to trust healthcare providers as adults.

Carter shared a poignant story about a family member who underwent numerous surgeries as a child. At that time, emotional safety was not prioritized, and family visits were restricted to specific hours. This individual developed a profound fear of healthcare settings, leading to tragic consequences as an adult.

How Parents Can Foster Emotional Safety

Parents can greatly influence their child’s emotional safety by recognizing the potential impact of medical procedures. Even seemingly minor interventions, like a nasal swab, can have lasting effects. It’s crucial for parents to ask questions and know their options, as they are the best advocates for their children.

For more information, parents can refer to the guide available on the Emotional Safety Initiative website to learn about the questions they should pose to healthcare providers and how to access emotionally safe care.

In essence, the Emotional Safety Initiative aims to help both healthcare providers and parents understand that prioritizing emotional safety significantly impacts both the physical and mental well-being of pediatric patients and their families. Emotional safety is foundational in fostering a positive, lifelong relationship with healthcare.

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Summary

The Emotional Safety Initiative focuses on enhancing the emotional security of pediatric patients during medical procedures, addressing the significant impact that medical experiences can have on children. By prioritizing emotional safety alongside physical safety, healthcare providers can help mitigate trauma and foster trust and resilience in young patients. Parents also play a crucial role in supporting their children’s emotional well-being in healthcare settings.