Tools You Can Use: Self Care Workbook for Parents | Patient Centered Care and Trauma Informed Care for Pediatric Patients

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

Up to 80% of ill and injured children and their families experience some traumatic stress reactions following life-threatening illness, injury or painful medical procedures. Not only children are affected - 20-30% of parents experience persistent traumatic stress reactions. Many things about being in the hospital and having an ill or injured child can be traumatic for parents.

Initial life threatening illness or injury diagnosis
Seeing their child in pain, having invasive procedures or hooked up to medical equipment
Exposure to distress, or death of other patients
Ongoing uncertainty about prognosis
Treatment difficulties or set backs
Feeling helpless, or feelings of self-blame
Making decisions under high stress conditions
Fear of their child dying

Parents are understandably focused on helping their child, but it is also important to help them care for themselves. Balance is the key, since healthy parents will be better able to care for their children and guide their children to a full recovery emotionally and physically.

The Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress (CPTS) has designed a Self Care Workbook for Parents. This workbook was designed to help parents care for themselves while still caring for their child. The workbook is available for download on the Healthcare Toolbox website and hard copies are available by emailing Cpts@email.chop.edu

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