Hospital school program and LifeComp: An exploratory study of personal, social, and learning-to-learn competencies in hospitalized children

The Hospital School Program (HSP) is a quality educational model ensuring the right to education for hospitalized children. To explore how hospitalized children participating in a Hospital School Program (HSP) manifest competencies related to the LifeComp framework, particularly in the personal, social, and learning-to-learn domains. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative (LifeComp-based survey) and qualitative (thematic analysis) methods in a cohort design. Quantitative results from 37 exposed and 37 non-exposed patients showed significant correlations in the personal area for self-regulation (p = 0.024), flexibility (p < 0.001), and well-being (p = 0.006, p = 0.024). In the social area, significant correlations were found for empathy (p = 0.013), communication (p = 0.013), and collaboration (p < 0.05). In learning-to-learn, correlations were identified for growth mindset (p < 0.05), critical thinking (p = 0.017, p = 0.018), and learning management (p < 0.05). Qualitative analysis highlighted the program's contribution to children's personal, social, and learning-to-learn competencies. These exploratory findings suggest that the HSP may be associated with LifeComp development and provide a preliminary, reproducible model for supporting educational and socio-emotional outcomes in pediatric hospital settings.