Child Life Systems: A Secondary Data Analysis

Authors conducted a secondary data analysis to determine how Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS), and supervisors conceptualize their role and each other’s role in mitigating burnout. Two previous studies exploring early professional CCLS and supervisors’ experiences informed the secondary analysis. From this analysis six themes and two subthemes were identified: COVID exposed fault lines of existing system failures; locus of pathology is systematic with a subtheme of feeling disregarded; the specialist-supervisor subsystem is uniquely challenged; permeable boundaries lead to confusion and dysfunction; supportive systems outside the hospital are a protective factor with a subtheme of the healthcare team; and feedback loops and communication about burnout signs, effects, and protective factors (self-care). These themes are consistent with previous research that the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on all healthcare professionals, including new challenges such as increased demand, feeling powerless, moving to remote services, administrative challenges, and organizational breakdown. Clinical implications for the child life profession are discussed.