Child Life at MercyOne Children’s Hospital Supports Central Iowa Children
November 16, 2022
A hospital visit can be stressful, especially for a child. Child life specialists at MercyOne Children’s Hospital provide support for children and their families as they adjust to their time in the hospital.
“Our main job is to help pediatric patients and families cope throughout the hospital experience,” said Rebecca Gerecke, MercyOne Children’s Hospital child life specialist.
Child life programming plays a special role in children’s health care and has been at the Children’s Hospital for more than 20 years. Child life specialists work with children and families to help them understand and prepare for their upcoming procedure. They use evidence-based practices including therapeutic play, preparation and assessment.
“We explain to kids, meeting them at their developmental level, what will happen,” said Rebecca. “We help to prepare them so they are more cooperative during those procedures, and we engage them in distraction techniques to help them cope.”
Research shows that when kids are prepared, they have better medical outcomes, including shorter recovery time and less need for anesthesia.
No two situations are alike. Child life specialists work with young patients and their families to create personalized plans to best fit their needs.
“My favorite part of this role is when I meet a patient or family who is really anxious about an exam or upcoming procedure and I am able to talk them through the process and help them cope,” said Rebecca. “Seeing them succeed when they get through that exam or procedure is definitely the most rewarding part.”
The experience a child has in the hospital can shape the perception they carry through with them on to adulthood.
“Our big overarching goal is we don’t want kids to be fearful of the hospital,” said Rebecca. “We want them to have positive experiences and not be afraid of doctors or a hospital setting so they can continue to lead healthy lifestyles.”
“We want to meet the patient where they are at developmentally so they can understand what is going on and process that information so being in the hospital can be a positive experience for them.”
Rebecca hopes families in the Children’s Hospital are aware of this service. Families may request services 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Pediatrics and Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU), Medical Imaging, Pediatric Emergency Department, Cath Lab, Endoscopy and the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU).
Gifts made to the Child Life Endowment directly support child life specialists to provide comfort to families and pediatric patients during their time at MercyOne Children’s Hospital.
“Our Child Life program relies on donations,” said Rebecca. “We are so appreciative and can’t thank donors enough for their support.”
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For more information on how you can support Child Life at MercyOne Children’s Hospital, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation 515-247-3248 or foundation@mercydesmoines.org.
