Being admitted to a hospital can be a daunting and overwhelming experience for many people, and even more so for our younger patients staying in our wards.
The Welcome Activity Book was born from a realisation that the hospital environment can sometimes speak a language too grown-up for our young patients, inadvertently leaving them feeling left out or overwhelmed. To bridge this gap, the Monash Children’s Hospital team embarked on a journey to craft an activity book that would offer children an age-appropriate and comprehensive understanding of their medical journey, making their hospital visits more joyful, approachable, and easy to understand.
An insightful visit to a paediatric conference on quality and safety inspired the book’s inception. “It stimulated our thoughts about hearing and including the child’s voice. We wanted to ask our young patients ‘what mattered to them’ and include this feedback in some way,” says Natalie Radin, the Quality, Safety & Innovation Manager for the Children’s Program.
This concept resonated deeply with the team, motivating them to take stock of what was available to their patients. “We looked at what information we had for children and for a children’s hospital; none of it was particularly child friendly. All the information we had by the bedside was for adults,” Natalie said.
Throughout the project, the team collaborated with diverse stakeholders, including the Monash Children’s Hospital School teachers, Child Life therapists, parents and the young patients themselves. During the research phase, a simple question highlighted the gaps in children’s comprehension of hospital environments.
“One thing that really sticks in my mind was one of the primary school-aged children asked, ‘Who locks the hospital doors at night, and who keeps us safe?’ I found that fascinating because it’s something that we just assumed as the security guards are visible around the hospital, but the children didn’t know who was keeping them safe,” said Natalie.
The team carefully designed interactive activities and vivid illustrations that connect with young patients, but the Welcome Activity Book is so much more than just a colouring book; it’s in line with the National Child Safe Standards, thoughtfully weaving safety messages covering essential topics like the importance of wearing their name bands, infection and falls prevention. All these messages are presented in language that children can understand and enjoy as they engage with the activity book.
Since its introduction, the Welcome Activity Book has had overwhelmingly positive outcomes. Children have embraced the book, engaging with their medical journey through reading, colouring, and interactive activities. Parents have found it invaluable for explaining medical jargon to their children, fostering understanding and alleviating anxiety.
“Some really lovely feedback came from a mum that loved the book and knew that a friend was coming into the hospital with their child who has autism spectrum disorder. They took an extra copy home and gave it to their friend who used it to prepare her child before their visit to hospital. That was a nice thing to hear.”
In the spirit of continuous improvement, the team has introduced a second version of the activity book, taking valuable feedback from patients and parents into account. This version boasts enhancements such as additional content about online safety, inclusivity showcasing cultural diversity and disabilities, a QR code for feedback, and children’s artwork.
Looking forward, Monash Children’s Hospital envisions expanding its impact. Plans are in place to develop activity books tailored to different age groups, ensuring that each resource is attuned to children’s unique developmental stages and preferences.
The Monash Children’s Hospital team has set a remarkable example by placing children at the core of their healthcare journey and encouraging child-friendly, inclusive, and empathetic practices, so much so that the team believes the book to be unique across Australian children’s hospitals.
Approved by Danielle Smith General Manager and Director of Nursing Children’s Program and Monash Children’s Hospital.
Approved by Juliet Pellegrini Director of Patient Experience and Consumer Partnerships.
