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What is it?
This is a useful (and fun!) way to help your child cope with the anxiety, fear and stress around health care procedures, either at home or at the hospital.
Medical play allows your child to identify with a toy, such as a stuffed animal or a toy doll, and then to safely express his/her feelings and perceptions through pretend play that recreates the type of care that the child needs.
You can use the medical play at home to:
Through play, children have the opportunity to regain control over a stressful situation. In this way, children can show us, through words or actions, how they feel, what they believe about the care that they are receiving. Then it is up to the parent or caregiver to use this valuable information to help the child:
Play is important for all children
Children learn through play about themselves, their capabilities and the world around them. Through their play, children also express their perceptions and emotions. Even young children can tell us a lot about how they are feeling through their play.
Children with Medical Complexity can have a lot of stress
If your child has a chronic or complex condition, daily life can be challenging and may include repeated stresses such as special treatments at home, hospital visits, blood tests, painful procedures, medical tests (eg, like x-rays, scans, etc) and lots more…
Children may have strong feelings such as fear, confusion, sadness, anger and frustration. Sometimes, they are so upset that it is challenging to provide them with the care that they need safely. This can also become physically and emotionally exhausting, both for the parent and the child.
If your child is having a lot of difficulty tolerating treatments at home (eg, so stressed that there is a lot of crying, screaming, or movement during procedures), then please talk to your health care team immediately. Your team may wish to seek the advice of a child life specialist, a psychologist, a social worker, a nurse or another team member skilled in the management of stress in children with medical complexity.
While we may not be able to stop treatments or tests, medical play can help your child (and you!) prepare, learn and adapt to these events. Ultimately, the goal is to help empower your child and use his/her strengths in dealing with healthcare challenges.
How to use medical play at home: some basics to get you started!
Suggestions for therapeutic (medical) play by developmental stage of the child
Developmental stages and characteristic types of play
Suggestions for medical play
https://complexcareathomeforchildren.com/prepare-your-child/therapeutic-medical-play/
Disclaimer: As medical and technical knowledge is constantly changing, this information is provided to you for educational purposes only. The information provided on this website is strictly provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied and should not at any time be considered as a substitute for professional advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare professional.
A collaboration of clinical experts across Quebec has taken every care to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, complete, and reflective of evidence-based practices. However, “Complex care at home for children” collaboration cannot and does not assume any responsibility for application of the content of this document or for any information that may be present in the websites cited as a reference. These web sites are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent the collaboration endorsement of any companies or products. Always consult your child’s physician and/or a qualified healthcare professional to learn more about recommendations specific to your child’s health needs.
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