Child Life in the OR

Our Child Life specialist in the OR provides toys and videos to help ease anxieties and distract your child while he/she waits his/her turn. 

The specialist also offers simple explanations and preparation for your child’s surgical experience guiding the child through and misconceptions or concerns. Having an opportunity to explore basic medical materials often helps decrease anxiety and diminish fear of the unknown. The younger children enjoy trying the heart monitor stickers and anesthesia mask on a doll provided.

 

Surgical Preparation Program

 

Child Life offers a pre-surgical preparation program to children and their families.  Children prepare for impending operations by touring the surgical area and discussing the process and sequence of events with a Child Life specialist.  The discussion is conducted in developmentally appropriate ways that each child can understand.  Parents and siblings also participate in the tour.  The aim is to help alleviate anxiety and make the actual day of surgery less stressful.  The program is offered on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.  We recommend that you and your child attend the Saturday prior to the scheduled surgery. 

 

Call the Child Life office at 617-636-5232 to make an appointment.