{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Should I Call a Doctor?","title":"#8: More than play — the role of Child Life in healing and hope","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1361,"description":"What you’ll learn:\nIn this episode, we take you inside Child Life Services at Inova, shining a light on the dedicated child life specialists who support children and their families through some of their most vulnerable moments. Our guest, Jamie Gentille, System Director of Child Life Services and Community Engagement at Inova, answers common questions and gives an in-depth look at how she and her team help young patients navigate the emotional and psychological challenges of hospitalization or during an exam or procedure.\n \nWhether you're a parent, caregiver, or medical professional, this episode offers a moving and informative look into a role that blends clinical understanding with compassion and creativity. Tune in to discover the vital role child life specialists play in pediatric care.\n \nFeatured guests: \nJamie Gentille\nSystem Director\nChild Life Services and Community Engagement\nInova\n \nKey takeaways with chapter markers:\nChild life specialists focus on the psychosocial needs of kids and families during medical experiences [1:20]\nThey work alongside physicians and nurses, providing child-friendly explanations and coping strategies [3:50]\nIn the NICU, they help with pain management and help siblings understand, cope and connect [6:45]\nTools range from explanations to therapeutic interventions [11:25]\nPlay is a tool, but child life services are driven by science, evidence and training [17:00]\nThe smallest experience can impact a child’s lifelong healthcare journey [17:41]\nGiving kids control and options is crucial [19:40]\nFAQs:\n\nWhat is a child life specialist?\nA child life specialist is a trained healthcare professional who helps children and their families cope with the emotional and psychological challenges associated with medical experiences, such as hospitalization or illness.\n \nWhat services do child life programs offer?\nMost child life programs provide procedural preparation, pre-surgical tours, support during medical procedures, medical and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/rIhAE1Yjj7iH2WXU7Cj8xeYhrKhDvvmcDg0CL_qiPZo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83YmIx/NDcxNDI2NzI4Y2M4/Zjc2MjM2NTdmZDEz/YzQ3Ni5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}