Madeleine Lai

Improving hospital experiences in the pediatric population

Started June 4, 2026

Abstract or project description

Hospitalization can be challenging for pediatric patients due to the anxiety associated with medical procedures and unfamiliar environments. Because high levels of anxiety can negatively affect children’s physical and emotional well-being, interventions that provide children with effective coping strategies are needed. This review will discuss the reasons behind hospital anxiety in pediatric patients and interventions that can help reduce this anxiety. Aspects of hospitalization that most affect patient anxiety include environment, personnel, parental stress, and the fixed idea of pain. Intervention strategies to help with this fear include play therapy, animal-assisted therapy, a child-friendly environment, Child Life Specialists, and family engagement. Taken together, this review finds that these interventions effectively mitigate children's fear reactions to the hospital setting and recommends integrating Child Life Specialists into pediatric hospital programs.