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Extended day program: bringing preschool to the hospital
Insights
An Extended Day Program helps healthcare professionals address the unique challenges of caring for hospitalized children. This program supports children's development, psychosocial well-being, and overall quality of life during their hospital stay.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Child Development
- Psychosocial Care
Background:
- Hospitalized children with complex needs face developmental and psychosocial challenges.
- Healthcare professionals require strategies to facilitate growth and normalize experiences for these children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an Extended Day Program designed for long-term hospitalized children.
- To outline how the program addresses key challenges in pediatric hospital care.
Main Methods:
- Program design by nurses and multidisciplinary professionals.
- Focus on creating an environment for growth, development, and learning.
Main Results:
- The program facilitates optimal development and psychosocial care.
- Addresses needs such as positive self-concept, independence, and normalized experiences.
Conclusions:
- Extended Day Programs can effectively support the holistic needs of hospitalized children.
- This model offers a framework for improving care in pediatric long-term settings.
Abstract:
Children who must grow up in a hospital setting due to complex medical and social conditions present health care professionals with unique challenges that include (a) providing an environment to facilitate growth and development, (b) normalizing life experiences, (c) strengthening children's positive self-concepts, (d) promoting independence and exploration, and (e) introducing opportunities for learning experiences. An Extended Day Program, designed by nurses and other professionals to promote optimal development and psychosocial care for long-term hospitalized children, can offer these benefits.