Toy Industry Foundation, Nemours Children’s Health System Launch Research Project

TIFThe Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and Nemours launched a year-long partnership. With the support of a $400,000 grant from TIF, Nemours will explore the impact of trauma-informed patient care and the role of play in helping kids and families heal and cope while in the hospital. Research findings will be used to develop a program  using play materials and related resources designed to support and comfort kids experiencing stress relations due to life-threatening illness, injury, or painful medical procedures.

The collaborative team at Nemours, including the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science, KidsHealth, and the Child Life Program at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, is leading the effort, and TIF is funding the project. The multi-phase research will gather perspectives of patients and families of diverse backgrounds and healthcare providers regarding the need for, and best ways to deliver, trauma-informed pediatric patient care. This approach incorporates awareness of the potentially traumatic nature of medical events and aims to reduce or prevent traumatic stress reactions in kids. Researchers will then develop a pilot intervention program that facilitates individualized, trauma-informed care and includes a kit with play interventions to aid in the healing and coping process in children.

Once approved, the intervention program will first be implemented at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del. and Nemours Children’s Hospital, in Orlando, Fla., with the goal of expanding to additional Nemours facilities and children’s hospitals nationwide.

About the author

Maddie Michalik

Maddie Michalik

Maddie Michalik was the Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book from 2020-2022. She was also a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider.

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