Ease the Way - Gebauer Patient Comfort Blog

Patient Comfort Is Trauma-Informed Care

By: Morgan O'Leary | On: May 31, 2023

Time has always been a precious resource in the healthcare industry. With staffing shortages and waves of COVID and other illnesses, time seems to be at even more of a premium. When pediatricians and pediatric nurses speed through appointments, patients’ fears may increase, their cooperation may be impaired, and they may even experience more discomfort. It is critical to note that patient comfort is not a frill or superfluous; rather, it is a known factor that can help or hinder medical outcomes. Having a child life specialist on board can add extra support to both the child, child’s family, and medical team to ensure that patient trust and comfort, critical components of trauma-informed care, remain at the forefront.

The Role of the School Nurse: What They Do

By: Sue Zagula | On: November 2, 2021

Most of us can recall at least one encounter with a school nurse during our childhoods. Perhaps your school nurse was the comforting presence you needed when you suddenly came down with a raging fever, or put your mind at ease while patching up a playground injury. But while these experiences are certainly common, school nurses do much more than take temperatures and slap bandaids on scraped knees. And their job is ever-evolving.

Transitioning Pediatric Patients to Adult Care

By: Sue Zagula | On: September 15, 2021

The transition from late teens to early adulthood is rife with challenges, transformations, and new experiences. It’s a time when adolescents leave behind the comforts of childhood and begin embracing the freedom and responsibility of being an adult. From going away to college and choosing a career path to handling finances and living away from home, it’s all a bit overwhelming. And navigating healthcare adds yet another layer of complexity to this life phase.

3 Tips for Managing Medical Misinformation from Patients

By: Bethany Nock | On: August 17, 2021

As a clinician, you’re accustomed to fielding patients’ questions and managing skepticism over various treatments. In some cases, a patient’s hunger for information is a positive sign that they’re invested in their health and will be dedicated to their prescribed care plan. But, when patients have the wrong information, it can lead to noncompliance or full-on refusal of care.

Will Handshakes Survive the Pandemic? | Handshake Alternatives

By: Bethany Nock | On: July 8, 2021

For much of modern history, cultures have used handshakes as a greeting and a symbolic gesture to close business transactions. But, since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, handshakes have almost entirely disappeared in favor of elbow bumps and socially distanced waves. Now, even as more people become vaccinated and are once again connecting in person, many of us are still a little leery of touching each others’ hands.