Influence of child life support program on recovery of pediatric patients at Moi teaching and referral hospital, Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the influence of Child life support program on recovery of pediatric patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya. Child Life support is the provision of comprehensive psychosocial, developmental, and information services to children and families in order to normalize the hospital environment and cope up with treatment stress, pain and trauma that accompanies hospitalization. The specific objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of Child Life support program on recovery of pediatric patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital; to establish the effect of Child Life program on cost of treatment among pediatric patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital; to establish the effect of hospital environment on recovery of pediatric patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and to determine how parental involvement affects recovery of pediatric patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. These variables are guided by the following theories; attachment theory, psychoanalytic theory of play, Erik Erikson’s psychological stages of development, ecological systems theory, and sociological family stress theory. The study adopted a Cross sectional descriptive study research design; as such it is an intensive descriptive and holistic analysis of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya. The target population was the staff (nurses) and their parents/guardians of the patients who were present at the hospital during the study period. The study adopted Cross sectional descriptive study research design sampling method to select a sample frame. Descriptive statistics was used in data analysis by use of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 17.0. The study therefore concluded that the guidelines provide opportunities for children of all ages to master the healthcare experience by preparing and supporting them through medical procedures. More so, if the child’s social and emotional health is compromised, it can create significant challenges for children leading to failure in school, inability to make and sustain friendships, and negative feelings about themselves. The study recommends that hospital management should identify activities that can be carried out in response to the child life support program guideline and discuss any challenges that might exist for the implementation of each guideline and what can be done to address those challenges. The management self-assesses to help them understand where they are in terms of complying with these guidelines. Through this it will identify any guidelines the organization is not following and activities they will carry out to address the issue.