Ease the Way - Gebauer Patient Comfort Blog

The Benefits of Medical Play for Patients and Providers

By: Bethany Nock | On: January 5, 2017

Whether a child is taking a math test or playing in a championship or receiving treatment in a hospital, he or she is bound to be anxious.

Just as a teacher has study guides to help the student get ready for the test or a coach runs drills to help the athlete be confident for the game, healthcare providers (and parents) can help pediatric patients prepare for a hospital stay using medical play.

Medical play is a therapeutic approach that uses real and pretend medical equipment, stuffed animals and dolls to assist pediatric patients in understanding not only the hospital itself but also what is happening with their own bodies. It is focused on activities that both enable a child to respond effectively to difficult medical situations and also support the child’s normal development.

In this post, we’ll discuss the best ways to leverage medical play and the benefits it can provide to pediatric patients, their parents and healthcare professionals.

A Handy Provider's Guide to Back-to-School Immunizations

By: Bethany Nock | On: September 13, 2016

Along with buying art supplies and new outfits, immunizations can be an important part of the back-to-school checklist. It’s important for healthcare providers to keep in mind some valuable points when administering vaccines.

Below are three essential things healthcare professionals need to know about back-to-school immunizations.

4 Ways Nurses Can Help Pediatric Trauma Patients

By: Bethany Nock | On: July 27, 2016

Many pediatric trauma patients are terrified when they arrive at the hospital. Fears about the extent of their injuries and concerns about their family members can make the experience even more overwhelming.

When children are too upset to respond to questions about their injuries, it can be difficult to know exactly how to treat them. Nurses who act as supportive advocates for their pediatric patients can help children cope with a potentially life-changing event and minimize emotional trauma.

Here are four ways nurses can improve the hospital experience for pediatric trauma patients.

How to Help Pediatric Patients Cope with Chronic Illness

By: Bethany Nock | On: July 21, 2016

Living with a chronic illness is difficult no matter your age, but it can be particularly hard for pediatric patients. Without appropriate coping skills, they may fail to comply with their treatment plan (either deliberately or unintentionally), which can result in more frequent hospitalizations and avoidable complications.

Here are a few ways your nursing staff can help pediatric patients cope with chronic illness.

3 Types of Pediatric Therapy to Consider

By: Julianne Filion | On: June 8, 2016

Hospital visits and trips to the doctor’s office are rarely pleasant, and chronically ill pediatric patients (along with their families) must make those treks on an all-too-often basis. Healthcare professionals who sympathize with this and adopt patient-centered care tend to see higher levels of patient satisfaction since the focus is on providing the best possible experience for their patients.

In this article, we discuss three types of pediatric therapy that can help foster a more positive environment for your patients and their loved ones.