The Emotional Safety Initiative Helps Children Feel More at Ease With Medical Procedures

In the early days of the pandemic, my daughter, who had battled a respiratory infection the previous winter, started to wheeze again. She began waking up in the middle of the night, requiring nebulizer treatments. Panic set in, and my first thought was—COVID. Her pediatrician quickly ordered a COVID test.

At that time, the only way to get tested was through a nasal swab conducted by someone in a hazmat suit reaching into the car window. My daughter gritted her teeth and endured the swabbing process (she tested negative—thank goodness!). Nearly a year later, she vividly recounts the experience, claiming the “swab touched her brain.”

While her story remains just that, for many children, such experiences can foster a lasting fear and distrust of medical environments. This is precisely what Child Life Specialists aim to prevent through the Emotional Safety Initiative.

We spoke with Lily Carter, President of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), about this initiative and the newly published paper advocating for the prioritization of children’s emotional safety alongside their physical safety in healthcare settings.

What Is The Emotional Safety Initiative?

The Emotional Safety Initiative seeks to elevate emotional safety to the same level as physical safety in pediatric medical experiences. Emotional safety is defined as “an intentional, interdisciplinary practice to promote resiliency, healing, and trust for pediatric patients and their families during medical experiences,” according to an ACLP press release. In practice, it aims to offer patients and families a stress-free and emotionally supportive experience, says Carter.

The Four-Part Framework of the Emotional Safety Initiative

The initiative is based on four essential components:

Screening and Assessment: This aspect focuses on understanding patients and their families to build a supportive environment. It is crucial to assess families’ experiences, strengths, and challenges, either ahead of a planned admission or in real time during emergency situations.
Intervention: This element centers on the child’s comfort, examining their past experiences with medical procedures. Carter emphasizes that understanding what was difficult helps ensure those experiences are not repeated.
Environment: Everything in a medical setting can be intimidating for children—from adult attire to the size of medical equipment. This component encourages healthcare providers to create a more child-friendly atmosphere. For instance, Carter notes that her hospital is designing a new patient tower with family-centered layouts to support children better.
Education, Training, and Communication: Everyone involved in a patient’s care, from security to medical staff, plays a role in ensuring emotional safety. This component focuses on educating all team members about emotional safety standards.

The Importance of Emotional Safety

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, around 80% of pediatric patients and their families endure traumatic stress following medical treatment for serious illnesses or injuries. Short-term effects can include developmental setbacks and sleep disturbances, while long-term consequences may lead to a reluctance to seek healthcare in adulthood.

Carter shared a poignant story about a family member who, at seven, underwent multiple surgeries and spent a year in the hospital without emotional safety being prioritized. As an adult, she developed a profound fear of healthcare settings, leading to tragic outcomes that could have been avoided.

This emphasizes the vital role that Child Life Professionals play in safeguarding emotional safety.

How Parents Can Foster Emotional Safety

One of the most effective ways parents can support emotional safety is by recognizing the potential impact of medical procedures. Even seemingly simple actions, like a nasal swab, can leave lasting impressions that aren’t easily mitigated with a treat afterward. Carter encourages parents to ask questions and advocate for their children, reminding them that they are the foremost experts on their kids.

For more insights, parents can visit the Emotional Safety Initiative website for guidance on how to engage with healthcare providers about accessing emotionally safe care. Ultimately, the initiative aims to help providers and parents understand that delivering emotionally safe care significantly impacts both physical and mental health, especially in pediatric settings.

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In summary, the Emotional Safety Initiative is a crucial movement that seeks to ensure children feel both physically and emotionally safe during medical experiences. By prioritizing emotional safety, healthcare providers can foster healthier relationships between children and medical environments, potentially influencing their willingness to seek care in the future.