School age children: are their needs recognized and met in the hospital setting?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare
• Child psychology
• Hospital administration

Background:

• School-aged children exhibit independence, yet hospitalization can induce unrecognized anxiety and unmet needs.
• Healthcare settings may not consistently recognize or address the specific concerns of school-aged pediatric patients.
• Assessing patient-reported outcomes is crucial for improving pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether the concerns of school-aged children in a hospital setting are recognized and met.
• To determine if an educational intervention impacts the expression of needs and concerns in hospitalized children.
• To emphasize the role of healthcare providers in acknowledging and mitigating pediatric patient anxieties.

Main Methods:

• A preliminary survey was conducted to identify specific concerns of school-aged children during hospitalization.
• An inservice educational program was implemented for healthcare staff.
• The survey questionnaire was re-administered post-intervention to assess changes in expressed needs.

Main Results:

• The initial survey identified definite concerns among school-aged children in the hospital.
• Following the inservice program, a decrease in the number of expressed needs and concerns was observed.
• The intervention demonstrated a positive impact on addressing children's hospital-related anxieties.

Conclusions:

• Hospitalization presents unique challenges and anxieties for school-aged children that require active recognition by healthcare teams.
• Caregiver awareness and targeted interventions are essential for effectively alleviating the concerns of pediatric patients.
• Improving communication and recognition of children's needs can enhance the hospital experience and outcomes for this age group.