Parent's Perception of Child Life Specialist

Perceptions are a powerful tool that can really change a path. I am planning to construct my thesis utilizing perceptions of the role of child life as well. 

Children's Health Care published this research article in 2014. 

Parent Perceptions and Satisfaction with Inpatient Child Life Specialist Interventions and the Role of Child Temperament

Authors: 
Chantal K. LeBlanc, Krista Naugler, and Kate Morrison
Child Life Services, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Jennifer A. Parker
Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Christine T. Chambers
Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Department of Pediatrics and Centre for Pediatric Pain Research,
IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada 

Abstract: 

This study examined parent perceptions and satisfaction with interventions by inpatient child life specialists (CLSs) and the role of child temperament. Forty-nine parents of children (12 months–7 years) completed questionnaires assessing knowledge of the CLS’s role, perceived need for CLS intervention, whether they received and were satisfied with the intervention(s), and their child’s temperament. Results indicated that most parents were unaware of the CLS role prior to admission; they received the interventions needed and were satisfied. Child temperament was related to perceived need and receipt of developmental support and family facilitation interventions, and children with more challenging temperament received more interventions. Implications for practice are discussed. 

This study measures the following four areas based off of parent reports: 

• Knowledge of the Role of Child Life Specialist
• Child Life Specialist Interventions
• Parent Satisfaction
• Child Temperament 

Researchers also were interested in parent's general comments regarding child life services. These comments were divided into 4 categories. 

• Excellence in care
• Other child life services
• Areas for improvement
• Service(s) not utilized

Make sure you don't go off of my summary but read the article for yourself!  

Click here to see the full article.


More research is being done in the field of child life to advocate for our role as an essential member of the health care team. It is up to us as professionals to be up-to-date on this research and spread the results to others in the field. 

After reading the article, what results did you find interesting? What stood out to you in this study? What did you expect the researchers to find that maybe they didn't? 

Caroline