Family Friendly Space for Research, Reflection, and Respite: A Family Resource Center and Library in a Pediatric Hospital Setting

Abstract

The environment of any hospital, especially a children's hospital, can be extremely challenging for families. Sometimes overwhelmed by the stress of a child's illness, families need a ‘haven,’ a nonclinical space where they can regroup and find information to reinforce their coping skills. The Family Resource Center at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital offers such a space—a comfortable, relaxing, and open place for patients and families to have access to health and parenting information, recreational reading materials, or local community needs.

KEYWORDS:

• child life profession
• consumer medical information
• family-centered care
• health and information literacy

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editor: Dixie A. Jones (E-mail: [email protected]).