The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists:
Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric
Patient and Family Outcomes

Child Life Value Proposition Statement

Value Proposition Front Cover-Full Report

Read the Full Report.
Read the Executive Summary.

Purpose

To create a value proposition statement detailing the evidence-based outcomes associated with child life intervention, articulated for an audience primarily composed of healthcare administrators, executives, and other high-level decision makers.

Background

The goal behind the Child Life Value Proposition, The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists: Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric Patient and Family Outcomes, was to create an evidence-based argument for the positive impact of child life services for youth, families, and organizations. References to outcomes associated with child life profession are dispersed across publication outlets, intervention types, and program models and our goal with value proposition statement has been to pull that information together to clearly communicate the value of child life specialists. Read the Full Report of The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists: Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric Patient and Family Outcomes or read the Executive Summary.

Meet the Team

Ten experts in child development contributed to The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists: Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric Patient and Family Outcomes. Read about the contributors.

Methodology

Systematic literature review, with assessment of opportunities for meta-analytics and cost-modeling.

Data Collection Methods
Exhaustive identification of child life interventions and services (with continued revision and expansion throughout literature review and analysis).

Review of child life textbooks, articles since 1997, Child Life Focus/ACLP Bulletin, and ACLP forums to identify topic areas for review

Articles identified through systematic searches of: PubMed, CINAHL, MedLine, PsycInfo, Proquest, EBSCOhost, and all articles including the terms “child life specialist” or “child life therapist” published since 1997.

Market Research
Presentation of value drivers to: Beryl Institute CEO, Jason Wolf, COO and CFO of hospital systems, Internal and external physician stakeholders, Statistical consultation.

Development of Executive Summary and Full Report
Solicitation of Feedback: ACLP Board, Child Life Focus/ACLP Bulletin Editors, Past Presidents' Forum, Related organizational executives, Physicians/Executives/Business Administrators, Academics Professionals (in and outside of child life), Professional writers/editors.

The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists: Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric Patient and Family Outcomes