Are Hospitals Too Restrictive: Assessing the Effect of Hospital Visitation Policies on Pediatric Patient Stress
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of hospital visitation and accessibility policies on the wellbeing of pediatric patients and their families. The research questions addressed in this study were, Does hospital visitation policy predict pediatric patient and family stress levels as p...
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| Format: | Online |
| Language: | eng |
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Oscar Rennebohm Library
2023
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| Online Access: | http://digitalcollections.edgewood.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p16315coll4/id/97 |
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| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of hospital visitation and accessibility policies on the wellbeing of pediatric patients and their families. The research questions addressed in this study were, Does hospital visitation policy predict pediatric patient and family stress levels as perceived by child life staff on a hospital stress scale? and, Does limited accessibility and use of restrictive medical equipment also predict pediatric patient and family stress levels as perceived by child life staff? Participants are 21 female Child Life Specialists with a broad spectrum of age and experience, all working at various inpatient settings, split up into a summer and fall cohort based on response submission. These professionals were recruited through the Association of Child Life Professionals webpage, and answered questions based on their perceptions of patient and family stress as well as the policies of the hospital they work at. The fall cohort surveys indicated that there is a significant correlation between restrictive accessibility policies and patient and family stress. Also documented were high rates of families feeling that restrictive policies impacted their ability to care for their child and negatively affected family bonding. Recommendations include continued advocacy and policy changes to make family longues and playrooms more accessible, remove barriers to family bonding in the hospital, and institute creative ways for patient group play activities. |
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