Rivera Leida,  Tolland Marlena,  Leyva Gloria,  Chandra Tushar,  Kucera Jennifer

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: EDU-017

Our educational poster highlights the essential role of child life specialists in pediatric radiology and their impact on patient care, procedural success, and overall departmental efficiency. Through case-based examples and practical workflow integration strategies, the presentation demonstrates how child life interventions reduce patient anxiety, improve cooperation for successful exams, can help with cost saving measures for the department, and minimize the need for sedation during imaging procedures. Emphasis is placed on communication, environmental modification, and age-appropriate coping strategies that optimize the radiology experience for children and their families. Our poster also highlights the collaboration between technologists, radiologists, and child life specialists in creating a supportive, patient-centered imaging environment.
We aim to educate radiology professionals on the vital psychosocial support role of child life specialists and demonstrate how their presence and practices contribute to a more compassionate, efficient, and safe pediatric imaging environment.
Educational Objectives:
After reviewing our presentation, participants will be able to:
Describe the core responsibilities and techniques used by child life specialists in pediatric radiology.
Identify common imaging procedures where child life involvement has the greatest impact on patient outcomes.
Explain evidence-based benefits of child life interventions in reducing sedation rates, procedure times, and patient distress.
Recognize opportunities for collaboration between radiology staff and child life services to enhance the patient and family experience.
Implement practical strategies to integrate child life principles into daily radiology workflows, even in departments without dedicated specialists. Read More

Authors:  Rivera Leida , Tolland Marlena , Leyva Gloria , Chandra Tushar , Kucera Jennifer

Keywords:  Approach, Child Life, Patient Care

Rudder Barbra,  Easley Sara,  Robinson Amie,  Nielsen David

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: SCI-012

Pediatric patients are often sedated for MRI scans to ensure images are of diagnostic quality. However, access time for MRIs requiring sedation in is often long due to high patient volumes. In 2014, an MRI Try Without (MTW) program was established at our institution to facilitate eligible patients to ‘try’ their MRI without sedation with the help of a dedicated team comprised of child life specialists (CLS), radiology nurses and scheduling as well as MRI technologists. During their MTW appointment, patients and families met with a CLS who used various preparation tools and methods, such as showing videos and pictures, utilizing a mock MRI, listening to sample noises, rehearsing laying still, and choosing a movie to watch during the MRI. The goal of this program was to decrease the wait time for obtaining an MRI, while ensuring diagnostic-quality images for the interpreting radiologist. Read More

Authors:  Rudder Barbra , Easley Sara , Robinson Amie , Nielsen David

Keywords:  Child Life, MRI Try Without Sedation, Pediatric MRI

Vleuten-chraibi Sanae,  Nauts Sanne

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: SCI-022

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exams can be anxiety-provoking for children, often requiring sedation or anesthesia to ensure completion of the scan. Sedation presents disadvantages including physiological side effects, logistical challenges, prolonged waiting times, and higher costs. Furthermore, some medical facilities lack sedation infrastructures, necessitating longer travel for MRI appointments. Read More

Authors:  Vleuten-chraibi Sanae , Nauts Sanne

Keywords:  MRI Try Without Sedation, Child Life Specialist, Education

Pena Trujillo Valeria,  Gallo-bernal Sebastian,  Weagle Kathryn,  Victoria Teresa,  Gee Michael

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: SCI-016

To evaluate the sociodemographic and exam-related characteristics associated with child life specialist intervention (CLSI) success or failure in acquiring non-sedated pediatric MRI Read More

Authors:  Pena Trujillo Valeria , Gallo-bernal Sebastian , Weagle Kathryn , Victoria Teresa , Gee Michael

Keywords:  Child Life Specialist, MRI, Non-sedated

Zapala Matthew,  Li Yi,  Belisario Jennifer,  Phelps Andrew,  Courtier Jesse,  Vlasses Christopher

Final Pr. ID: Paper #: 022

Virtual reality (VR) has been used successfully as a psychological preparation tool in the pediatric patient population for elective surgery, oncological procedures and pain management. MRI exams require patients to remain motionless in a small, confined space for extended periods of time creating nervousness and an inability to hold still. VR offers a new way to prepare pediatric patients for MRI through simulations to reduce nervousness and decrease motion, resulting in more successful imaging outcomes. This study is designed to assess if VR simulations of an MRI exam can increase anticipatory knowledge and reduce nervousness in a pediatric cohort. Read More

Authors:  Zapala Matthew , Li Yi , Belisario Jennifer , Phelps Andrew , Courtier Jesse , Vlasses Christopher

Keywords:  Virtual Reality, MRI, Child Life