Lisa Baker, professor and chair of the Department of Social Work in Samford University’s School of Public Health, recently published a new book, What's Next: Navigating Your Child's Extended Hospital Journey. This comprehensive resource offers practical advice for parents navigating the complexities of having a hospitalized child. Drawing from her own family’s experience and insights from more than 150 parents, Baker addresses topics such as processing diagnoses, interacting with health care teams, managing stress and understanding how child development affects patient needs.
Inspired by her daughter’s battle with brain cancer, Baker provides a compassionate guide that blends personal experience with research-backed strategies. The book aims to serve as a lifeline for parents during a medical crisis, offering a blend of empathy and practical tools.
What was the inspiration behind the book?
In 2017, Baker’s oldest daughter faced a serious health condition during her junior year of high school, which led to several weeks of hospitalization and over a year of outpatient treatment and therapies. Despite her and her husband’s medical backgrounds, they found themselves struggling to navigate the diagnosis and the difficult days that followed. This experience highlighted the need for a practical guide for other parents in similar situations, prompting Baker to provide a resource to support families in managing hospitalization, sibling care, communication and the emotional impact of a child's medical crisis.
What are some key takeaways for readers?
In discussing her hopes for the book's impact, Baker emphasized, "First, I hope it will send a message that they aren't alone. A medical crisis, especially when it involves your child, is a time of tremendous stress and uncertainty. Families need guidance on handling the diagnosis, setting boundaries, articulating their needs and caring for siblings. They need a place to turn from someone who has been in their shoes."
How did Baker go about conducting research for the book?
To ensure the book resonated with diverse readers, Baker conducted extensive research. "While faith was an integral part of our journey, I wanted to create a resource that would be applicable to people of different faith perspectives," she noted. With a Samford faculty development grant, she recruited more than 150 families to share their experiences through an online survey. Preliminary data from this study was presented at the Society for Social Work Research's annual conference in January 2024. In addition to the parental feedback, the book covers stress management for both parents and children along with how various stages of child development impact patient needs.
Baker's book stands out as a vital resource for parents looking for guidance during some of the most challenging times in their lives. For more information or to purchase a copy, visit Lisa Baker's website.
