Sidra Medicine redefining hospital experience for young patients and families

DOHA: At Sidra Medicine, the Child Life Team is redefining the hospital experience for young patients and their families with a focus on psychosocial...

DOHA: At Sidra Medicine, the Child Life Team is redefining the hospital experience for young patients and their families with a focus on psychosocial wellbeing. This dedicated team works to ease the emotional and psychological challenges that arise during healthcare encounters by providing tailored support to patients and families.

The Child Life Team offers special events that bring together patients from different wards. These events focus on inpatients, siblings and families who are not on isolation precautions. ‘Funday Monday’ is one such event held four to six times annually and is led by the Child Life Services at Sidra Medicine.

According to Jennifer Lugg, Child Life Specialist II at Sidra Medicine, these ‘Fundays’ provide the opportunity to bring together patients, siblings, and families during hospitalization. ‘Fundays” promote socialisation, normalization and provide child friendly, fun and engaging activities for patients.

“Often children and families feel isolated in the hospital environment due to limited opportunities to socialize and interact with others. Seeing other children and families going through a similar journey helps to validate feelings and loneliness,” Lugg told The Peninsula.

“Children also feel left out of day to day fun activities that their peers may be doing outside the hospital, therefore, these days are a way to provide some normalcy. Funday Monday offers activity stations based on a theme that promotes mobilization, play and fun,” she added.