Pediatric professionals, what's one way you've incorporated play or entertainment into a medical procedure to improve the pediatric patient experience?

As a pediatric neurologist, I frequently incorporate play and entertainment into patient encounters and procedures in order to connect with the children and achieve good outcomes. In the clinic, physical examinations can be scary situations for children, where we inspect, auscultate, palpate, and percuss them. Turning the examination into a game makes it palatable to pediatric patients and improves data collection. For instance, when assessing the patient's mental status, asking them to name toys, to talk about their favorite animals and movies, and to draw pictures can be powerful measures. Testing cranial nerves can be achieved by having children track toys or a phone, stick their tongue out and say "ah," and make silly faces. Again, utilizing nonthreatening and entertaining techniques can result in accurate assessment. Strength is tested by opposing muscle movements or rapid passive movement made into a game of "Show me your muscles or limp like a noodle." Sensation with light touch is assessed with mature children, but if young children do not understand this, a tuning fork with its beautiful sound and vibratory sense, can be used. Lastly, coordination and gait is best watched with a parent versus child race in the hallway. Other procedures such as the lumbar puncture can be attempted with a game of curling up like a Roly-poly bug. Magnetic resonance imaging studies are successfully acquired in many cases with a game of "Wiggle and freeze" with the parent in the scanner helping their child through the game. Through creative play, the intimidating exam and other diagnostic assessments can be made lighthearted and fun for children and reduce the need for sedation or unnecessary tests in the case of a reassuring neurologic examination.

One way I've incorporated play into pediatric care is by using interactive games during rehabilitation exercises for younger patients. In my 30 years as a physiotherapist, I've found that engaging children through activities they enjoy significantly reduces their anxiety and helps them focus on their recovery. For example, when working with a young patient recovering from a knee injury, I integrated a simple obstacle course using soft cones and balance beams. Each exercise was framed as a game where the child had to "beat their previous score" or "collect points" by completing tasks. This not only made the session fun but also distracted the child from any discomfort, encouraging them to stay engaged and complete the exercises fully. My background in musculoskeletal care and sports injuries was key in designing these activities to ensure they remained both therapeutic and enjoyable. Over the years, I've worked with athletes and dancers, where mental engagement is critical to physical performance, and I applied similar principles to pediatric care. The result was not only faster physical progress but a positive and memorable experience for the child, which made them look forward to future sessions rather than dreading them. This holistic approach is part of my broader philosophy at The Alignment Studio, where we aim to treat the person, not just the condition.

In pediatric healthcare, integrating play and entertainment, such as therapeutic play and interactive technology, significantly improves young patients' experiences and lessens their anxiety. For instance, some hospitals utilize virtual reality (VR) headsets, allowing children to engage in immersive, game-like environments during procedures like injections. This approach distracts them from the medical process, transforming frightening experiences into enjoyable and educational moments.