Carly Smith — Peds Pneumonia RCC: 7yo Female · Pediatrics · Pneumonia
- Nathan Lowe — Medical University of South Carolina
Abstract
The case involves a 7-year-old girl named Carly Smith, who is admitted to the pediatric unit with pneumonia following influenza, designed for learners in pediatric healthcare education. The primary learning objectives are to enable students to demonstrate relationship-centered communication with pediatric patients and caregivers, use age-appropriate language to explain medical conditions and procedures, recognize and empathetically respond to a child's emotions and concerns, and involve both the patient and family in shared decision-making. In the clinical scenario, Carly presents with a persistent cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, requiring the learner to engage with her using empathetic communication and age-appropriate explanations while addressing her concerns about hospitalization and missing school. The simulation encourages learners to practice skills in empathy, patient engagement, and family-centered care, making it a valuable component of curricula focused on developing communication skills and patient-centered care approaches in pediatric settings.
How to cite
Open access under CC BY 4.0. © 2026 the author(s).