Meet the plenary panelists at HCIM: Marieke Timmermans
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As Head of Development-oriented care in the Princess Maxima Centre for child oncology, Marieke Timmermans knows the importance of involving children and parents in their care, in which organising activities does play an important part. With the intensive partnership with CliniClowns, the organisation is trying really hard to create some distraction and relaxation for children.
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Involving children and parents
'Finding the needs of children and parents is what drives me in my work for the Princess Máxima Centre for child oncology. Therefore, it’s important to involve children and parents from the beginning in their care, involving them in various projects and initiatives within the organisation. Insight into the needs and experiences of children and parents is necessary to achieve impactful results. This requires an equal partnership, working from a basic attitude, in which we connect the expertise of the child/parent in their own situation to our own professional expertise.'
Shaping the development
'The mission of the Princess Máxima is to cure each child with cancer with optimal quality of life. Since the treatment of childhood cancer is so intense and has a lot of impact on the child and his/her family, it is essential to continue to give shape to and support that development, despite the limitations that the disease and treatment entails.
This is what we call Developmental- oriented Care.
The aim of developmental oriented care is to prevent developmental problems and to stimulate development in its broadest sense. That is: physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual.'
'When they are in the Maxima centre, they bring a beautiful atmosphere'
A connecting factor
'In cooperation with various partners, we organise daily (online) activities for our children, parents and siblings. These activities distract our children, help them to relax and stimulate wider development. Cliniclowns is an important partner for the Prinses Maxima Centrum. Twice a week, the clowns visit for distraction and relaxation and connect in an accessible way with all age groups. The clowns are often a connecting factor between child, parent and employee. When the clowns are in the Maxima they bring a beautiful atmosphere that everyone can enjoy! Therefore, I'm hoping that sharing my experiences with Developmental-oriented care will inspire and emphasize the value of what Clowns are bringing.'
Marieke will be one of the plenary panelists at HCIM2021. You can find more info about the other plenary panelists here.
'Finding the needs of children and parents is what drives me in my work for the Princess Máxima Centre for child oncology. Therefore, it’s important to involve children and parents from the beginning in their care, involving them in various projects and initiatives within the organisation. Insight into the needs and experiences of children and parents is necessary to achieve impactful results. This requires an equal partnership, working from a basic attitude, in which we connect the expertise of the child/parent in their own situation to our own professional expertise.'
Shaping the development
'The mission of the Princess Máxima is to cure each child with cancer with optimal quality of life. Since the treatment of childhood cancer is so intense and has a lot of impact on the child and his/her family, it is essential to continue to give shape to and support that development, despite the limitations that the disease and treatment entails.
This is what we call Developmental- oriented Care.
The aim of developmental oriented care is to prevent developmental problems and to stimulate development in its broadest sense. That is: physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual.'
'When they are in the Maxima centre, they bring a beautiful atmosphere'
A connecting factor
'In cooperation with various partners, we organise daily (online) activities for our children, parents and siblings. These activities distract our children, help them to relax and stimulate wider development. Cliniclowns is an important partner for the Prinses Maxima Centrum. Twice a week, the clowns visit for distraction and relaxation and connect in an accessible way with all age groups. The clowns are often a connecting factor between child, parent and employee. When the clowns are in the Maxima they bring a beautiful atmosphere that everyone can enjoy! Therefore, I'm hoping that sharing my experiences with Developmental-oriented care will inspire and emphasize the value of what Clowns are bringing.'
Marieke will be one of the plenary panelists at HCIM2021. You can find more info about the other plenary panelists here.