Course Description
The developmental and psychosocial issues facing hospitalized infants, youth, and their families. Focus on psychological and social issues associated with illness and other traumatic life experiences in childhood. The developmental perspective used in this course has applicability for understanding children's responses to other critical experiences. Topics covered will prepare students for careers in child life, special education, medical, and mental health professions.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are required to write a scholarly APA paper in addition to the final presentation. In medical term group projects, they are expected to take a leadership role and demonstrate skills of team management, collaboration, and group dynamics. They will then write a short essay on the experience of leading a group.
Athena Title
Hospitalized Child and Family
Undergraduate Prerequisite
(HDFS 2100 or HDFS 2100E or HDFS 2100H) and (HDFS 2950-2950L or HDFS 2950E)
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of Department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the: - Developmental, psychological, and spiritual needs of hospitalized children and their families. - Impact of illness and illness-related stresses on the dynamics of the family. - Effects of stress and trauma on children’s behavior and development and of the basic therapeutic techniques for coping with these behaviors. - Importance of and methods for preparing children and families for medical procedures and hospitalization experiences. - Healthcare disparities related to race, gender, sexual orientation, and class. - The necessity of normalizing experiences for hospitalized children and their families and ways to provide these experiences in a variety of settings. - Research literature cited in class and readings concerning children, families, and practitioners in health care settings. - Medical terminology associated with the healthcare system. - Needs of children with chronic illness and/or special needs in a health care setting. - Effects of health care costs on families. - Importance of providing appropriate educational, recreational, and therapeutic environments for individuals and groups (ages 0-21) with health care issues. - Need to modify or adapt activities, equipment, and/or facilities to meet specific individual and/or group needs. - Philosophy, purposes, and structural concepts of Child Life program. - Demonstrates knowledge of the effects of stress and trauma on children's behavior and development, and of the basic therapeutic techniques for dealing with these behaviors.
Topical Outline
Course overview Theoretical foundations of practice Introduction to medical terminology The healthcare system and pediatric healthcare (team members) Psychosocial impact of hospitalization for infants Psychosocial impact of hospitalization for toddlers Psychosocial impact of hospitalization for preschoolers Psychosocial impact of hospitalization for school-age Psychosocial impact of hospitalization for adolescents Psychosocial impact of hospitalization for emerging adults Developmentally appropriate language and medical teaching techniques Family-centered care and culturally responsive care Pain management and expressive arts Children’s spirituality in healthcare Pediatric palliative and hospice care Compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout
Syllabus