The list of the speakers was formed by psychologists, paediatricians and nurses from both the Swiss and Hungarian sides. These professionals had further important common features as well – on one hand they have been doing voluntary work for a long time in different organizations supporting child welfare, and on the other hand, they all possess valuable expertise in this field hailing from their own experiences as being committed parents.

The audience invited also consisted of diverse specialists: physicians, nurses, clinical psychologist and hospital board members also could be found amongst. However, beyond these experts, large part of the public was – of course – represented by our volunteers arriving from all over the country.

The manifold theme of the conference included – in no way claiming to be exhaustive – child rights; children’s welfare especially during long term hospital stay and hospitalisation as general topics; while the professional psychological aspect focused on the most recent scientific results, hospitalization syndrome, as well as theoretical and practical advices for parents and health care stuff members. There is a novel profession becoming more and more known in Europe, called Child Life Specialist, which was firstly introduced to the audience in our conference.

Child Life Specialists are originally psychologists trained to reduce all types of discomfort or harm and support physical and psychological wellbeing of children in hospital. There was a certificated Child Life Specialist among the Swiss speakers who introduced her extremely interesting work to us by presenting many examples and real situations coming from her own experiences.

Other experts, e.g. psychologists and nurses, also provided the public exciting practical knowledge based on their daily work. Numerous material facilities and medical equipments were shown as well, as playing significant role in the job of the specialists we met during the two days of the conference. Parents in the audience had the chance to enrich with several practical suggestions concerning how to prepare their child for a hospital stay; what and how to tell him/her in these situations and what expressions or behaviour would better be avoided.

In addition to these interesting themes, a colouring book was also introduced there, which had been made for children to help their understanding of events and new circumstances during the hospital stay and was recently translated and adapted to Hungary. Through colouring this book, children might get some relief and distraction from the pressure of being in a strange environment or being sick.

Both of the days were closed by interactive workshops providing the opportunity of real participation in learning new coping mechanisms, communication techniques, or meeting and testing the facility used in the Swiss child friendly healthcare routine. As many different experts took active part in the workshops, the unfolding discussions contained the most diverse and exciting information.

In summary the conference can be considered great success and demonstrated well-functioning partnership between the Swiss and Hungarian party. As a continuation of the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme, Hungarian experts – psychologists, paediatricians and head nurses – are going to visit some Swiss hospitals in Basel and Zurich to get a deep insight into the work of the speakers of the conference. We are eagerly looking forward to the trip to Switzerland and inform you soon about our experiences!

Visit Smiling Hospital online