2017 Volume 33 Issue 2 Pages 100-109
Since the Berlin Heart EXCOR were approved for pediatric patients in Japan, the condition of the patients while waiting for having heart transplant has become increasingly varied. Additionally, post-transplant patients still frequently require medical follow-up and obey various restrictions in their daily life to prevent rejection. Therefore, medical professionals in the field of pediatric heart transplantation should be aware of the physical, emotional, and psychosocial impact of the experience of heart transplantation the experience of heart transplantation on both the patients and their families. As one of the members of the hospital multidisciplinary team, the Child Life Specialist (CLS) provides various psychosocial support to meet the children’s needs. Some examples of psychosocial support provided by the CLS include: 1) establishing developmentally appropriate and therapeutic play opportunities; 2) providing psychological preparation; 3) delivering distraction and pain management during procedures and examinations; 4) helping the children prepare for discharge and school re-integration; 5) offering sibling support and family care; and 6) contributing grief and loss support. Through these interventions, the CLS provides opportunities for children and their families to learn about heart transplantation and associated treatment, as well as express their feelings in therapeutic ways. This helps the children and their families to reduce their stress and anxiety regarding their medical experiences and enhance their ability to cope with difficulties in a hospital setting. Communication and collaboration with other professionals and families are essential for the CLS to provide such psychosocial support for pediatric patients. The CLS believes that this comprehensive psychosocial support has positive influence on the quality of life of these children.
