238: Parents: How to Make the Most out of Rounds in the Hospital

Medical rounds can feel daunting for parents—packed with medical jargon, swift decisions, and limited time for questions. In this episode, Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist and founder of Child Life On Call, breaks down everything parents need to know about medical rounds. From understanding their purpose to practical strategies for staying informed and involved, this episode equips you with tools to navigate rounds confidently.

Whether it’s your first time attending rounds or you’ve struggled with timing conflicts, this episode offers insights and solutions to help you advocate effectively for your child.

Key Topics Covered:

What are Medical Rounds?

The purpose of medical rounds and how they facilitate communication among care teams.

Family-centered rounds and their impact on collaborative care.

Challenges Parents Face:

Timing conflicts and the fast-paced nature of rounds.

Feeling excluded when rounds occur without family involvement.

Introducing Q Rounds:

A new solution designed to provide predictable timing for medical rounds.

How Q Rounds helps families stay informed and connected.

Practical Tips for Parents:

Communicating effectively with nurses and care teams.

Capturing observations and questions for rounds using tools like SupportSpot.

Alternatives When You Can’t Be Present:

Speakerphone participation and other options for staying informed.

How child life specialists can act as advocates in your absence.

Tools to Empower Families:

Overview of the SupportSpot app and how it helps parents navigate healthcare experiences beyond the hospital.